-
IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Facts: The real reasons for the music instrument ban during Thaipusam
- Thread starter zeroo
- Start date
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
A fight just broke out and you guys are demanding for public holidays . if I can I will replaced you wholesale and banished you back to India.
A fight just broke out and you guys are demanding for public holidays . if I can I will replaced you wholesale and banished you back to India.
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
I don't know what is so fantastic about the Harleys. There was one Chingay when I saw a group of old people riding the Harley as part of the Chingay procession. My God!
I don't know what is so fantastic about the Harleys. There was one Chingay when I saw a group of old people riding the Harley as part of the Chingay procession. My God!
Re: On legal noises and illegal noises in Singapore
The best and finest from Singapore's 'labour movement'.
More like a woman in labour and having bowel movement at the same time.
The best and finest from Singapore's 'labour movement'.
More like a woman in labour and having bowel movement at the same time.
Thaipusam, Lion Dances, Kompangs - Discrimination against Hindus?
1. There have been many questions on Thaipusam and the playing of musical instruments. Broadly, the questions can be grouped as follows:
Why can't musical instruments be played to help kavadi carriers during Thaipusam?
Why are Hindus being discriminated? Other groups are allowed to play music - e.g. Lion Dances, Kompangs.
Also we allow many groups, including Filipinos to sing and dance. So why not allow the same during Thaipusam.
2. These are fair questions. They arise from a misunderstanding of the rules. The truth is that Hindus are not discriminated against. In fact, they have been given a special privilege not enjoyed by others.
Hindus - Privileged or Discriminated against?
3. Most people don't realise, that in Singapore, all religious foot processions are banned. This ban was imposed in 1964, after riots.
4. But Hindus were given an exemption: Hindus have been allowed three religious foot processions: Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram and Thimithi.
5. The Hindu religious foot processsions go through major roads. No other religion is given this privilege.
6. When other non-Hindu religious groups apply to hold foot processions, they are usually rejected. On rare occasions when it is given, stringent conditions will be imposed including much shorter routes, unlike Thaipusam which lasts the whole day and goes through major roads.
7. So the first point to note: only the Hindus are allowed such large religious foot processions.
Lion Dances/ Kompangs
8. What is the difference between Thaipusam (where music is not allowed during the foot procession) as opposed to Kompangs/ Lion Dances (with music being played in a public place)?
9. Lion dances, kompangs and other such celebrations are often held during social, community events. These are usually non-religious events. Likewise, at Hindu community events, musical instruments are also used - Nathaswaram, Melas. There are many such community celebrations: both on a national scale and in the local communities across Singapore. They are not religious foot processions. The ban on religious foot processions (as opposed to such communal/ social events) is because they carry a particular sensitivity - the risk of incidents is considered to be higher.
10. Likewise, singing, dancing at communal get-togethers by Singaporeans, foreigners are not affected by the general ban on religious foot processions.
11. While there is a general ban on religious foot processions, sometimes, permission may also be granted for religious events, with some music in a public place. It is unlikely that there would be a foot procession over a long route. And sometimes, at events such as the Kew Ong Yah Festival, there will be public gatherings in the different constituencies, playing of some music, but even then, the Police will generally not allow long foot processions.
What I have set out are the general rules - based on appeals, sometimes exceptions may be made, based on the specific facts. But the basic position is: as a rule, religious foot processions will not be allowed except for the 3 Hindu festivals.
12. So yes - as shown by social media, there are many events in public with music. But they are often not religious events. Sometimes, they are religious events - for which permission would have been obtained, as set out above.
13. So the Hindus are actually in a privileged position. There are many other religious groups which have asked to be allowed to hold foot processions. These appeals have generally been rejected.
14. I think even as Hindus ask for relaxation of the rules, we should know the true facts. And not misunderstand them.
15. With these facts, is there a case for allowing musical instruments to be played during the Thaipusam foot procession, in support of the kavadi carriers?
This is a matter that can be debated. There were incidents in the past which led to the tightening up. Whether the rules should be relaxed, and whether and under what condititions music should be allowed during the Thaipusam processions, is something HEB has to discuss with the agencies. HEB has relaxed the rules last year within the temple premises.
Attacks on Police
16. Beyond the issues relating to Thaipusam, there is another serious issue which should concern all Singaporeans.
17. The Police Officers on the ground were trying to do their job and dealt with 3 men. One of the men assaulted the Police and all 3 men used vulgarities at the Police. The injured Police Officer had to be treated at the hospital.
18. Our Police Officers protect all of us. It is quite unacceptable for the Police to be physically assulted or ill-treated. We cannot allow them to be demeaned, assaulted. Right thinking Singaporeans will find this completely unacceptable. If Police Officers misbehave, they should be disciplined. But gratuitous attacks on the Police cannot be allowed and should not be tolerated. We as Singaporeans should come forward and say no to such attacks.
1. There have been many questions on Thaipusam and the playing of musical instruments. Broadly, the questions can be grouped as follows:
Why can't musical instruments be played to help kavadi carriers during Thaipusam?
Why are Hindus being discriminated? Other groups are allowed to play music - e.g. Lion Dances, Kompangs.
Also we allow many groups, including Filipinos to sing and dance. So why not allow the same during Thaipusam.
2. These are fair questions. They arise from a misunderstanding of the rules. The truth is that Hindus are not discriminated against. In fact, they have been given a special privilege not enjoyed by others.
Hindus - Privileged or Discriminated against?
3. Most people don't realise, that in Singapore, all religious foot processions are banned. This ban was imposed in 1964, after riots.
4. But Hindus were given an exemption: Hindus have been allowed three religious foot processions: Thaipusam, Panguni Uthiram and Thimithi.
5. The Hindu religious foot processsions go through major roads. No other religion is given this privilege.
6. When other non-Hindu religious groups apply to hold foot processions, they are usually rejected. On rare occasions when it is given, stringent conditions will be imposed including much shorter routes, unlike Thaipusam which lasts the whole day and goes through major roads.
7. So the first point to note: only the Hindus are allowed such large religious foot processions.
Lion Dances/ Kompangs
8. What is the difference between Thaipusam (where music is not allowed during the foot procession) as opposed to Kompangs/ Lion Dances (with music being played in a public place)?
9. Lion dances, kompangs and other such celebrations are often held during social, community events. These are usually non-religious events. Likewise, at Hindu community events, musical instruments are also used - Nathaswaram, Melas. There are many such community celebrations: both on a national scale and in the local communities across Singapore. They are not religious foot processions. The ban on religious foot processions (as opposed to such communal/ social events) is because they carry a particular sensitivity - the risk of incidents is considered to be higher.
10. Likewise, singing, dancing at communal get-togethers by Singaporeans, foreigners are not affected by the general ban on religious foot processions.
11. While there is a general ban on religious foot processions, sometimes, permission may also be granted for religious events, with some music in a public place. It is unlikely that there would be a foot procession over a long route. And sometimes, at events such as the Kew Ong Yah Festival, there will be public gatherings in the different constituencies, playing of some music, but even then, the Police will generally not allow long foot processions.
What I have set out are the general rules - based on appeals, sometimes exceptions may be made, based on the specific facts. But the basic position is: as a rule, religious foot processions will not be allowed except for the 3 Hindu festivals.
12. So yes - as shown by social media, there are many events in public with music. But they are often not religious events. Sometimes, they are religious events - for which permission would have been obtained, as set out above.
13. So the Hindus are actually in a privileged position. There are many other religious groups which have asked to be allowed to hold foot processions. These appeals have generally been rejected.
14. I think even as Hindus ask for relaxation of the rules, we should know the true facts. And not misunderstand them.
15. With these facts, is there a case for allowing musical instruments to be played during the Thaipusam foot procession, in support of the kavadi carriers?
This is a matter that can be debated. There were incidents in the past which led to the tightening up. Whether the rules should be relaxed, and whether and under what condititions music should be allowed during the Thaipusam processions, is something HEB has to discuss with the agencies. HEB has relaxed the rules last year within the temple premises.
Attacks on Police
16. Beyond the issues relating to Thaipusam, there is another serious issue which should concern all Singaporeans.
17. The Police Officers on the ground were trying to do their job and dealt with 3 men. One of the men assaulted the Police and all 3 men used vulgarities at the Police. The injured Police Officer had to be treated at the hospital.
18. Our Police Officers protect all of us. It is quite unacceptable for the Police to be physically assulted or ill-treated. We cannot allow them to be demeaned, assaulted. Right thinking Singaporeans will find this completely unacceptable. If Police Officers misbehave, they should be disciplined. But gratuitous attacks on the Police cannot be allowed and should not be tolerated. We as Singaporeans should come forward and say no to such attacks.
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
drums bring out the illegal behavior of FAP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9elMA3yHbAw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqiYc-JlzI
Mr Tan Boon Huat, the chief executive director of the People's Association (PA) between 2003 and 2010 says, "I was moved by the enthusiasm and commitment of Mr Nah Juay Hng, chairman of the PA Chingay Executive Committee. He spoke passionately, urging everyone to give Chingay a chance, and called for it to be continued and improved."
https://chingay.org.sg/blog/-/blogs/pa-chiefs-perform
drums bring out the illegal behavior of FAP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9elMA3yHbAw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqiYc-JlzI
Mr Tan Boon Huat, the chief executive director of the People's Association (PA) between 2003 and 2010 says, "I was moved by the enthusiasm and commitment of Mr Nah Juay Hng, chairman of the PA Chingay Executive Committee. He spoke passionately, urging everyone to give Chingay a chance, and called for it to be continued and improved."
https://chingay.org.sg/blog/-/blogs/pa-chiefs-perform
shit skins allowed more leeway can complain of racism. WTF is this.
the stars are not align with PAP,they are upsetting every sinkie race...only the local bumis still untouchable...til when?
Why must the Law Minister wait for Singaporeans to come forward to say this is not acceptable. As the Law Minister, cannot he right off affirm this and state categorically to all Hindus that any Hindu who walloped our SPF will be charged accordingly and punished. Why pull punches, Mr Minister? Why so shy just because Indians ask this question? KNN.
And when 60% have no qualms about it.
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
| http://www.fuckwarezone.com.sg/img/forums/hwz/statusicon/post_old.gif Yesterday, 09:49 PM | #1 |
jigsaw_puzzle9 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 142 | BREAKING NEWS: Indian who was arrested during Thaipusam says he is a victim of racism Quote: Dear everyone, Source: https://www.facebook.com/kingchola.h...230468?fref=nfFor the past three days, there had been various reports, news & articles with regards to the 3 men arrested for the incident that happened at Thaipusam 2015. I am one of the 3 men who were arrested at the incident. This post would be my part of the story, not to justify what I have done, but to let the public know my point of view. My cousin brother was one of the kavadi bearers in Thaipusam. The first time we were approached was at the Perumal temple by the temple officials. They ordered the “Urumi group” boys who were playing the “Thavil(indian traditional instrument)” to stop playing the music. We seeked their cooperation and understanding to allow the boys to play the thavil while he was piercing the 108 spikes, this was so that he can be distracted from the pain. My brother was carrying a traditional kavadi which weighed roughly about 100kg, therefore he needed to be distracted from the pain as well as the piercings. However, the temple officials were adamant about not letting the urumi boys play while he was piercing. When we asked why they could not let the boys play, they replied that these were regulations set by the SPF, and that they were merely following SPF’s orders. We then abided to their rules and regulations and asked the Urumi boys to stop the music. We then left the Perumal temple, and started the holy procession in a very solemn manner. The urumi group we hired did not play any music as they were sent off by the higher officials and were not allowed to follow my brother’s kavadi. However, as we approached Kitchener Road, the urumi group boys joined us again. They were playing music for us and followed us till Desker Road. At Desker Road, the urumi boys were then pulled aside again, aggressively this time, by the temple officials . My cousin brother who observed the situation went in to mediate as those urumi boys were engaged and paid by us. He questioned those who pulled the boys away on why they were being pulled away, and that these boys were engaged by us. He argued with them asking why weren’t we allowed to play the Urumi & Thavil which are traditional indian instruments. It was emphasized in the media that we were the one playing the instruments at the procession. However, the truth is, we paid and hired a urumi group to play music for my brother’s kavadi. There were about 15 to 20 temple officials and blue uniformed (unable to identify whether they were police or certis cisco in the chaotic situation) men who were involved in the argument. Suddenly, there were a group of guys (about 20-30 guys) who barged in and started manhandling us, trying to push us away from the urumi group. I noticed that my cousin brother was manhandled, being pulled by his tshirt to and fro to a corner, and i also saw his wife was running behind him, trying to pull the husband away from them. A group of men were pushing me and trying to bring me to the ground violently. At the point of time, I noticed my sister-in-law being pushed to the ground, that was when I got agitated and aggravated and I rushed towards my sister in law. From my point of view, the person who pushed my sister in law was wearing a white tshirt. I broke free from the group of men, and I punched him, thats when10 men pinned me down on the road aggressively, suffocating me. They kneed and backheeled me on my face, and said “you dare to punch a police officer”. That was when I realised this group of men were police officers. We were then brought back to the station. It was stated in all the reports and media news that “3 men were arrested and they smelled strongly of alcohol”. I would like to clarify this statement because this is not the truth at all. I do not consume alcohol AT ALL. There were tonnes of other people at that chaotic situation, & the alcohol smell could have came from anyone at all. So it was wrong for them to have accused us of being drunk and creating nuisance. How could media like “Channel NewsAsia, Vasantham Tamil News, Straits times etc” publish in their news that I was drunk and creating nuisance. Under what basis or what proof did they release this news? Was the conclusion that we were drunk based on the report giving by the SPF? Secondly, how can a policeman (whose identity was later revealed) push a woman down to the ground? Isn’t it a violent act against a woman (under the woman’s charter)?Why is it that in all the media, this action of the police force was not justified? In my point of view, this is not the behaviour of a police officer, but it is more of a rowdy act. My nephew and niece who witnessed the whole incident were traumatised and could not stop crying. In that chaotic situation, it did not hit my mind that it was a police officer who behaved such. Also in the statement provided by Minister S ISWARAN in the article "S ISWARAN: PLEASE DON'T OVERREACT ABOUT THE THAIPUSAM INCIDENT posted on 5 Feb 2015 in "The Real Singapore", "He acknowledged that three people were arrested at the Thaipusam procession on Tuesday for playing drums." My question to you is Sir, How could you have acknowledge a statement which was not true? We were not drummers or we were not playing the instruments. All instruments were played by the Urumi group we hired. Thirdly, the root cause to all this chaos was the playing of traditional indian instruments, such as Urumi and Thavil. Being the organizers of Thaipusam, the Hindu Endowment Board should stand up for the Indians and justify the playing of indian traditional instruments for a holy procession. I voiced out to the officials that if Lion Dance are allowed for chinese events and kompangs are allowed for malay events, why aren’t Indians allowed to play our traditional instruments. I did not mean it as a racial remark, but just as a comparison. But I was labelled a racist, giving racist remarks, which is again a false accusation. In summary, this is my point of view. I am not here to justify my actions, but just to create awareness amongst the public who had been giving different stories everyday. It is NOT TRUE that I was drunk during this chaos as mentioned in all the official news reports. In my opinion, I feel Hindu Endowment Board is not deemed fit to represent us, Indians. They do not know what are our needs, and I believe they could have handled the situation better, and giving us proper explanations when we questioned them, and not pushing the blame to the police and the Govt. It is heartwarming to see people from the public coming forward to give their opinion and feedback about the whole situation. I believe they are entitled to their freedom of the speech and should not be questioned or interrogated by any of the higher officials Thank you for taking the time to read through this post. Regards, Mohan. Despite what the police and mainstream media have published, he says he was not drunk. |
The worst thing is why shit skins are always allowed leeway and allowed to address their BS grievances and why must they always be the victims?
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
Power.
Mohan harness the power of social media to tell the truth.
How many votes vile Pappies will lose from this incident?
Keep it up
Power.
Mohan harness the power of social media to tell the truth.
How many votes vile Pappies will lose from this incident?
Keep it up
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
same as what my pal - the good looking mohair sam, says when he's had a coupla drinks. he's fit to drive as well. steady dah, dey!
when mohan says he wasn't drunk, we'll take is word for it, as he's just feeling light-headed and somewhat high....
same as what my pal - the good looking mohair sam, says when he's had a coupla drinks. he's fit to drive as well. steady dah, dey!
This event takes place once a year. Just lift the ban and allow them to be kings for the day.
Re: S iswaran: Please don't overreact about the thaipusam incident
Don't overreact? This is orderly sinkapore ...how can we not react to such gross violation of our orderliness?
Don't overreact? This is orderly sinkapore ...how can we not react to such gross violation of our orderliness?
Ah Neh Who Assaulted Police Denies Being Drunk!
Dear everyone,
For the past three days, there had been various reports, news & articles with regards to the 3 men arrested for the incident that happened at Thaipusam 2015. I am one of the 3 men who were arrested at the incident. This post would be my part of the story, not to justify what I have done, but to let the public know my point of view.
My cousin brother was one of the kavadi bearers in Thaipusam. The first time we were approached was at the Perumal temple by the temple officials. They ordered the “Urumi group” boys who were playing the “Thavil(indian traditional instrument)” to stop playing the music. We seeked their cooperation and understanding to allow the boys to play the thavil while he was piercing the 108 spikes, this was so that he can be distracted from the pain. My brother was carrying a traditional kavadi which weighed roughly about 100kg, therefore he needed to be distracted from the pain as well as the piercings. However, the temple officials were adamant about not letting the urumi boys play while he was piercing. When we asked why they could not let the boys play, they replied that these were regulations set by the SPF, and that they were merely following SPF’s orders. We then abided to their rules and regulations and asked the Urumi boys to stop the music.
We then left the Perumal temple, and started the holy procession in a very solemn manner. The urumi group we hired did not play any music as they were sent off by the higher officials and were not allowed to follow my brother’s kavadi. However, as we approached Kitchener Road, the urumi group boys joined us again. They were playing music for us and followed us till Desker Road. At Desker Road, the urumi boys were then pulled aside again, aggressively this time, by the temple officials . My cousin brother who observed the situation went in to mediate as those urumi boys were engaged and paid by us. He questioned those who pulled the boys away on why they were being pulled away, and that these boys were engaged by us. He argued with them asking why weren’t we allowed to play the Urumi & Thavil which are traditional indian instruments. It was emphasized in the media that we were the one playing the instruments at the procession. However, the truth is, we paid and hired a urumi group to play music for my brother’s kavadi. There were about 15 to 20 temple officials and blue uniformed (unable to identify whether they were police or certis cisco in the chaotic situation) men who were involved in the argument. Suddenly, there were a group of guys (about 20-30 guys) who barged in and started manhandling us, trying to push us away from the urumi group. I noticed that my cousin brother was manhandled, being pulled by his tshirt to and fro to a corner, and i also saw his wife was running behind him, trying to pull the husband away from them. A group of men were pushing me and trying to bring me to the ground violently. At the point of time, I noticed my sister-in-law being pushed to the ground, that was when I got agitated and aggravated and I rushed towards my sister in law. From my point of view, the person who pushed my sister in law was wearing a white tshirt. I broke free from the group of men, and I punched him, thats when10 men pinned me down on the road aggressively, suffocating me. They kneed and backheeled me on my face, and said “you dare to punch a police officer”. That was when I realised this group of men were police officers. We were then brought back to the station.
It was stated in all the reports and media news that “3 men were arrested and they smelled strongly of alcohol”. I would like to clarify this statement because this is not the truth at all. I do not consume alcohol AT ALL. There were tonnes of other people at that chaotic situation, & the alcohol smell could have came from anyone at all. So it was wrong for them to have accused us of being drunk and creating nuisance. How could media like “Channel NewsAsia, Vasantham Tamil News, Straits times etc” publish in their news that I was drunk and creating nuisance. Under what basis or what proof did they release this news? Was the conclusion that we were drunk based on the report giving by the SPF?
Secondly, how can a policeman (whose identity was later revealed) push a woman down to the ground? Isn’t it a violent act against a woman (under the woman’s charter)?Why is it that in all the media, this action of the police force was not justified? In my point of view, this is not the behaviour of a police officer, but it is more of a rowdy act. My nephew and niece who witnessed the whole incident were traumatised and could not stop crying. In that chaotic situation, it did not hit my mind that it was a police officer who behaved such.
Also in the statement provided by Minister S ISWARAN in the article "S ISWARAN: PLEASE DON'T OVERREACT ABOUT THE THAIPUSAM INCIDENT posted on 5 Feb 2015 in "The Real Singapore", "He acknowledged that three people were arrested at the Thaipusam procession on Tuesday for playing drums." My question to you is Sir, How could you have acknowledge a statement which was not true? We were not drummers or we were not playing the instruments. All instruments were played by the Urumi group we hired.
Thirdly, the root cause to all this chaos was the playing of traditional indian instruments, such as Urumi and Thavil. Being the organizers of Thaipusam, the Hindu Endowment Board should stand up for the Indians and justify the playing of indian traditional instruments for a holy procession. I voiced out to the officials that if Lion Dance are allowed for chinese events and kompangs are allowed for malay events, why aren’t Indians allowed to play our traditional instruments. I did not mean it as a racial remark, but just as a comparison. But I was labelled a racist, giving racist remarks, which is again a false accusation.
In summary, this is my point of view. I am not here to justify my actions, but just to create awareness amongst the public who had been giving different stories everyday. It is NOT TRUE that I was drunk during this chaos as mentioned in all the official news reports. In my opinion, I feel Hindu Endowment Board is not deemed fit to represent us, Indians. They do not know what are our needs, and I believe they could have handled the situation better, and giving us proper explanations when we questioned them, and not pushing the blame to the police and the Govt.
It is heartwarming to see people from the public coming forward to give their opinion and feedback about the whole situation. I believe they are entitled to their freedom of the speech and should not be questioned or interrogated by any of the higher officials
Thank you for taking the time to read through this post.
http://therealsingapore.com/content...3-men-arrested-during-thaipusam-playing-music
Dear everyone,
For the past three days, there had been various reports, news & articles with regards to the 3 men arrested for the incident that happened at Thaipusam 2015. I am one of the 3 men who were arrested at the incident. This post would be my part of the story, not to justify what I have done, but to let the public know my point of view.
My cousin brother was one of the kavadi bearers in Thaipusam. The first time we were approached was at the Perumal temple by the temple officials. They ordered the “Urumi group” boys who were playing the “Thavil(indian traditional instrument)” to stop playing the music. We seeked their cooperation and understanding to allow the boys to play the thavil while he was piercing the 108 spikes, this was so that he can be distracted from the pain. My brother was carrying a traditional kavadi which weighed roughly about 100kg, therefore he needed to be distracted from the pain as well as the piercings. However, the temple officials were adamant about not letting the urumi boys play while he was piercing. When we asked why they could not let the boys play, they replied that these were regulations set by the SPF, and that they were merely following SPF’s orders. We then abided to their rules and regulations and asked the Urumi boys to stop the music.
We then left the Perumal temple, and started the holy procession in a very solemn manner. The urumi group we hired did not play any music as they were sent off by the higher officials and were not allowed to follow my brother’s kavadi. However, as we approached Kitchener Road, the urumi group boys joined us again. They were playing music for us and followed us till Desker Road. At Desker Road, the urumi boys were then pulled aside again, aggressively this time, by the temple officials . My cousin brother who observed the situation went in to mediate as those urumi boys were engaged and paid by us. He questioned those who pulled the boys away on why they were being pulled away, and that these boys were engaged by us. He argued with them asking why weren’t we allowed to play the Urumi & Thavil which are traditional indian instruments. It was emphasized in the media that we were the one playing the instruments at the procession. However, the truth is, we paid and hired a urumi group to play music for my brother’s kavadi. There were about 15 to 20 temple officials and blue uniformed (unable to identify whether they were police or certis cisco in the chaotic situation) men who were involved in the argument. Suddenly, there were a group of guys (about 20-30 guys) who barged in and started manhandling us, trying to push us away from the urumi group. I noticed that my cousin brother was manhandled, being pulled by his tshirt to and fro to a corner, and i also saw his wife was running behind him, trying to pull the husband away from them. A group of men were pushing me and trying to bring me to the ground violently. At the point of time, I noticed my sister-in-law being pushed to the ground, that was when I got agitated and aggravated and I rushed towards my sister in law. From my point of view, the person who pushed my sister in law was wearing a white tshirt. I broke free from the group of men, and I punched him, thats when10 men pinned me down on the road aggressively, suffocating me. They kneed and backheeled me on my face, and said “you dare to punch a police officer”. That was when I realised this group of men were police officers. We were then brought back to the station.
It was stated in all the reports and media news that “3 men were arrested and they smelled strongly of alcohol”. I would like to clarify this statement because this is not the truth at all. I do not consume alcohol AT ALL. There were tonnes of other people at that chaotic situation, & the alcohol smell could have came from anyone at all. So it was wrong for them to have accused us of being drunk and creating nuisance. How could media like “Channel NewsAsia, Vasantham Tamil News, Straits times etc” publish in their news that I was drunk and creating nuisance. Under what basis or what proof did they release this news? Was the conclusion that we were drunk based on the report giving by the SPF?
Secondly, how can a policeman (whose identity was later revealed) push a woman down to the ground? Isn’t it a violent act against a woman (under the woman’s charter)?Why is it that in all the media, this action of the police force was not justified? In my point of view, this is not the behaviour of a police officer, but it is more of a rowdy act. My nephew and niece who witnessed the whole incident were traumatised and could not stop crying. In that chaotic situation, it did not hit my mind that it was a police officer who behaved such.
Also in the statement provided by Minister S ISWARAN in the article "S ISWARAN: PLEASE DON'T OVERREACT ABOUT THE THAIPUSAM INCIDENT posted on 5 Feb 2015 in "The Real Singapore", "He acknowledged that three people were arrested at the Thaipusam procession on Tuesday for playing drums." My question to you is Sir, How could you have acknowledge a statement which was not true? We were not drummers or we were not playing the instruments. All instruments were played by the Urumi group we hired.
Thirdly, the root cause to all this chaos was the playing of traditional indian instruments, such as Urumi and Thavil. Being the organizers of Thaipusam, the Hindu Endowment Board should stand up for the Indians and justify the playing of indian traditional instruments for a holy procession. I voiced out to the officials that if Lion Dance are allowed for chinese events and kompangs are allowed for malay events, why aren’t Indians allowed to play our traditional instruments. I did not mean it as a racial remark, but just as a comparison. But I was labelled a racist, giving racist remarks, which is again a false accusation.
In summary, this is my point of view. I am not here to justify my actions, but just to create awareness amongst the public who had been giving different stories everyday. It is NOT TRUE that I was drunk during this chaos as mentioned in all the official news reports. In my opinion, I feel Hindu Endowment Board is not deemed fit to represent us, Indians. They do not know what are our needs, and I believe they could have handled the situation better, and giving us proper explanations when we questioned them, and not pushing the blame to the police and the Govt.
It is heartwarming to see people from the public coming forward to give their opinion and feedback about the whole situation. I believe they are entitled to their freedom of the speech and should not be questioned or interrogated by any of the higher officials
Thank you for taking the time to read through this post.
http://therealsingapore.com/content...3-men-arrested-during-thaipusam-playing-music
Similar threads
