pywong
7th October 2008, 03:08 PM
Politics and religion is a very potent mix, especially in the wrong hands. Unfortunately, more often than not, it always land in the wrong hands of the greedy politicians who aspire to power. This article by Nadeswaran serves as a timely reminder.
Politicians should leave religion alone.
The Sun
6 Oct 2008
Do not politicise religion
BY R. Nadeswaran
LET it be said again amid the recent events: This column restricts
itself to bread and butter issues and those that affect society as a
whole and does not touch on race, religion or politics. But sometimes
the actions of politicians intrude into the community’s problems, and
in the process, the self-imposed rule has to be dispensed. Today is
one of them.
Politicising a religious issue has far-reaching consequences as the
MIC president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, and former Selangor mentri
besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo found out to their own peril in the
events leading to the March 8 elections. The events that followed the
destruction of a Hindu temple in Padang Jawa, Klang, just before
Deepavali last year changed the political landscape in the state. The
former mentri besar (wrongly) maintains he issued the order after
consulting the former works minister and that it was carried out AFTER
Deepavali. Arguing over the dates after it has been carried out is now
purely academic, but yet again, politicians cannot resist but choose
to attempt to score brownie points whenever they perceive they have an
opportunity to do so, without taking into account the sensitivities
involved.
It has always been the stand of the reasonable majority that there
should be a thick line dividing religion and politics because they can
be a deadly mix. When religious undertones become intertwined with
politics of self-interest, on most occasions, common sense and
reasonableness take a back seat.
Therefore, it was a welcome relief when the chairman of the Sri
Mahakaliamman temple committee pleaded that individuals do not turn
the demolished temple issue into a political battleground. S. Murugiah
said the day after the demolition, the temple committee, together with
Lembah Jaya state assemblyman Khasim Abdul Aziz, had met with Ampang
Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) officials.
"We met with deputy council president Hamid Hussain to complain about
the demolition and showed him documents. Hamid admitted that MPAJ had
made a mistake, following which Khasim and MPAJ councillors had been
working on getting the temple rebuilt and registered. So, stop making
more statements for or against us," he was quoted by the NST as
saying.
In short, the message to politicians was: A mistake has been made;
someone has admitted to it; a solution is being worked out; in the
interim period, please stay out and don’t interfere on an issue
between the temple and the authorities. To put it curtly, knowing how
it could be the catalyst for yet another problem, the message was
crystal clear: Stay out because we know how to and will sort out the
problem ourselves.
But no, politicians will not listen to temple committees because they
consider it is their right to speak on behalf of God. But no,
politicians can’t resist making the headlines and getting the "feel
good" vibes in their system. But no, politicians will go to any
lengths to tell the world that they are alive and kicking when they
are on the edge of oblivion. But no, this is a godsend opportunity and
by their actions, they are hoping that a hidden hand or the Almighty
will resuscitate their political careers.
How else can the MIC and its youth wing justify its actions by issuing
statements and leading delegations to the state secretariat to "hand
over a memorandum" to the government? If there was any memorandum to
be handed over, the youth wing should have sent it to their own party
demanding that land meant for Tamil schools be returned to the
rightful owners. (More of that later)
Just to refresh their memories, this is not the first time the temple
had been demolished. There were two previous occasions and no one
bothered at all. Today, they want to be seen as "champions". If they
had been consistent from Day One, it is understandable, but having
watched previous occasions with folded arms, their recent action
smacks of nothing less than wanting to be seen to be active.
What standing does the party have when it was instrumental in taking
away land earmarked and surrendered to the state for the Ephingam
Estate Tamil School? The party and its leaders can argue till the cows
come home that the whole exercise was legally and procedurally done,
but taking away land meant for a Tamil school is morally and ethically
unacceptable.
On one hand they fight for more allocations and better treatment of
Tamil schools but on the other, they have taken away something that
was gifted.
At a time when tensions are running high and when there’s so much
distrust and uncertainty, is it too much to ask our politicians to
exercise restraint in their words and actions? Why should they be
allowed to arouse ill-feelings with their unsolicited statements? Does
their role as members of the opposition party warrant such an action?
And finally, the people have not forgotten the misdeeds of the past
and will not be easily deceived into accepting old wine in a new
bottle.
R. Nadeswaran believes houses of worship are sacred and that they
should not be used by anyone to advance his or her political standing.
He is editor (special and investigative reporting) and can be reached
at: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com)
http://www.sun2surf.com
Politicians should leave religion alone.
The Sun
6 Oct 2008
Do not politicise religion
BY R. Nadeswaran
LET it be said again amid the recent events: This column restricts
itself to bread and butter issues and those that affect society as a
whole and does not touch on race, religion or politics. But sometimes
the actions of politicians intrude into the community’s problems, and
in the process, the self-imposed rule has to be dispensed. Today is
one of them.
Politicising a religious issue has far-reaching consequences as the
MIC president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, and former Selangor mentri
besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo found out to their own peril in the
events leading to the March 8 elections. The events that followed the
destruction of a Hindu temple in Padang Jawa, Klang, just before
Deepavali last year changed the political landscape in the state. The
former mentri besar (wrongly) maintains he issued the order after
consulting the former works minister and that it was carried out AFTER
Deepavali. Arguing over the dates after it has been carried out is now
purely academic, but yet again, politicians cannot resist but choose
to attempt to score brownie points whenever they perceive they have an
opportunity to do so, without taking into account the sensitivities
involved.
It has always been the stand of the reasonable majority that there
should be a thick line dividing religion and politics because they can
be a deadly mix. When religious undertones become intertwined with
politics of self-interest, on most occasions, common sense and
reasonableness take a back seat.
Therefore, it was a welcome relief when the chairman of the Sri
Mahakaliamman temple committee pleaded that individuals do not turn
the demolished temple issue into a political battleground. S. Murugiah
said the day after the demolition, the temple committee, together with
Lembah Jaya state assemblyman Khasim Abdul Aziz, had met with Ampang
Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) officials.
"We met with deputy council president Hamid Hussain to complain about
the demolition and showed him documents. Hamid admitted that MPAJ had
made a mistake, following which Khasim and MPAJ councillors had been
working on getting the temple rebuilt and registered. So, stop making
more statements for or against us," he was quoted by the NST as
saying.
In short, the message to politicians was: A mistake has been made;
someone has admitted to it; a solution is being worked out; in the
interim period, please stay out and don’t interfere on an issue
between the temple and the authorities. To put it curtly, knowing how
it could be the catalyst for yet another problem, the message was
crystal clear: Stay out because we know how to and will sort out the
problem ourselves.
But no, politicians will not listen to temple committees because they
consider it is their right to speak on behalf of God. But no,
politicians can’t resist making the headlines and getting the "feel
good" vibes in their system. But no, politicians will go to any
lengths to tell the world that they are alive and kicking when they
are on the edge of oblivion. But no, this is a godsend opportunity and
by their actions, they are hoping that a hidden hand or the Almighty
will resuscitate their political careers.
How else can the MIC and its youth wing justify its actions by issuing
statements and leading delegations to the state secretariat to "hand
over a memorandum" to the government? If there was any memorandum to
be handed over, the youth wing should have sent it to their own party
demanding that land meant for Tamil schools be returned to the
rightful owners. (More of that later)
Just to refresh their memories, this is not the first time the temple
had been demolished. There were two previous occasions and no one
bothered at all. Today, they want to be seen as "champions". If they
had been consistent from Day One, it is understandable, but having
watched previous occasions with folded arms, their recent action
smacks of nothing less than wanting to be seen to be active.
What standing does the party have when it was instrumental in taking
away land earmarked and surrendered to the state for the Ephingam
Estate Tamil School? The party and its leaders can argue till the cows
come home that the whole exercise was legally and procedurally done,
but taking away land meant for a Tamil school is morally and ethically
unacceptable.
On one hand they fight for more allocations and better treatment of
Tamil schools but on the other, they have taken away something that
was gifted.
At a time when tensions are running high and when there’s so much
distrust and uncertainty, is it too much to ask our politicians to
exercise restraint in their words and actions? Why should they be
allowed to arouse ill-feelings with their unsolicited statements? Does
their role as members of the opposition party warrant such an action?
And finally, the people have not forgotten the misdeeds of the past
and will not be easily deceived into accepting old wine in a new
bottle.
R. Nadeswaran believes houses of worship are sacred and that they
should not be used by anyone to advance his or her political standing.
He is editor (special and investigative reporting) and can be reached
at: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com)
http://www.sun2surf.com