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The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, which has been a spiritual landmark for more than a hundred years, now faces the threat of demolition and relocation, a move that has sparked outrage among temple ...
A century-old Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur has become the center of a contentious dispute after plans were announced to relocate it to make way for a mosque. The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, which has been a spiritual landmark for more than a hundred years, now faces the threat of demolition and relocation, a move that has sparked outrage among temple officials, activists, and members of the local Hindu community. While Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has temporarily paused demolition, the temple committee remains resolute in its opposition to the relocation.
This situation is not unique. Across the world, places of worship, both religious and historical, have faced similar threats.
Historical significance of the temple
Built in 1894, the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple stands as a testament to the deep-rooted Hindu traditions within the Masjid India area of Kuala Lumpur. The temple has been an integral part of the local Hindu community, serving as a place of worship, cultural congregation, and community engagement for generations. Its main deity, Dewi Sri Pathra Kaliamma Amma, is venerated by thousands of devotees who have been frequenting the temple for more than a century.
The temple’s location near Masjid India, a historically diverse area that houses multiple religious establishments. However, the latest proposal to demolish the temple to accommodate the construction of a mosque has reignited debates over religious rights, heritage conservation, and the role of authorities in managing such disputes….
The broader implications of the dispute extend beyond the fate of a single temple. Many see it as a litmus test for religious rights, governance, and heritage conservation in Malaysia. Urimai chairman P. Ramasamy, a former deputy chief minister of Penang, has voiced strong opposition to the temple’s relocation, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of minority religious institutions.
“This is not just about one temple, it is about setting a precedent for how heritage and religious rights are treated in Malaysia. Hindu temples are not placed on wheels to be moved at the whims of the powerful,” said P. Ramasamy
The concern is that if the temple is forcibly relocated, it could pave the way for further demolitions of historical religious sites, particularly those belonging to minority communities….
https://organiser.org/2025/03/27/28472
