‘No moral policing during Thaipusam’

> Temple warns group over spray-painting the ‘inappropriately dressed’

PETALING JAYA: The Batu Caves temple committee has warned other parties against “moral policing” during the Thaipusam celebrations on Feb 9.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah said the committee, through its task force, will strictly monitor the activities of Hindu devotees and visitors throughout the festival.

“There is a dress code to be observed for both men and women during the festival. We want them to follow it but we will not force it on them.

“For those whom we find disregarding the dress code, we will inform them discreetly and very nicely. Hopefully the festival can be conducted peacefully,” he told theSun yesterday.

Commenting on a Facebook group called “Thaipusam Spraying Group” that recently warned Hindu women against being “inappropriately dressed” or risk being sprayed with aerosol paint during Thiapusam, Nadarajah said the committee will neither support nor condone such behaviour from any party.

“No group whether on Facebook or any platform should be threatening others especially women on how they dress. We will reach out to the authorities should we spot anyone attempting to carry out such threats,” he added.

MIC Wanita chief Datuk Mohana Muniandy said the party will not condone such actions.

“We have been advising women to dress appropriately during religious festivals and temple visits through our campaigns.

“As such what is the group’s motive in carrying out ‘moral policing’ on women?” she said.

She added the party will be lodging a police report against the Facebook group.

Their comments came after Thaipusam Spraying Group through its page creator, Henry Barnabas, warned in its posting: “Advance warning to Hindu female patrons coming to Thaipusam festival, beware of being sprayed with aerosal paint if found inappropriately dressed.”

Postings by the Facebook group, which had pictures showing the backs of women wearing designer saree blouses, have since gone viral and earned criticisms online.

Facebook user Darell Nonis said wanting to splash “indecently-dressed women with paint is completely way over the line! First of all, you have no control on telling them what to wear because it is their choice”.

Since the group’s initial public postings, its Facebook page has now been set to private.