HINDUS must ensure proper land status when building temples to avoid demolition, said S.A. Vigneswaran. 

The MIC president said the matter needs to be resolved to prevent any untoward incidents for the future of temples.  

“We cannot humiliate our gods by getting them broken. 

“Who is humiliating them? We are, because we are not following procedures (in construction) and then blame others for it,” he said at the party’s annual general meeting today.  

Vigneswaran said Hindus should not build temples without consideration for the land status.  

“Then later (Hindus) expect assistance when faced with problems that often lead to a demolition or removal of the temples. 

“This issue needs to be resolved once and for all. The younger generation should not be facing this problem. 

“To be fair, even in India we don’t have a statue as big as the Lord Muruga here,” he said.  

Last year, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had called for the demolition of the 78-year-old Sri Madurai Veeran temple in Alor Setar. 

Sanusi suggested that the temple be demolished as it was “built on land where it is not allowed to do so” and, as such, “has broken the law”.   

Vigneswaran hoped the PAS-led state government would take steps to ensure there are discussions before taking any drastic action to demolish the temples. 

“Please give us a chance to help resolve issues regarding temples so that the state government’s relationship with MIC is not affected.” – April 3, 2021.