PETALING JAYA: A Hindu non-governmental organisation has made an 11th-hour plea to the Prime Minister to lift the ban on kavadi processions for Thaipusam today.

       Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia president Arun Dorasamy said it was unfair to impose the ban when the almost-similar paal kudam (milk pot) ritual is allowed in today’s Thaipusam celebration.

       “We can use the same SOP (standard operating procedure) outlined for carrying the paal kudam.

       “I humbly ask the Prime Minister to intervene and lift the ban on kavadi processions,” he told reporters when handing over a memorandum containing the appeal to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya yesterday afternoon.

       “People have started fasting 48 hours ago and they aren’t happy. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of people as this is the largest celebration in South-East Asia,” added Arun.

       As at press time, there had been no response by the Prime Minister on the memorandum.

       Kavadi bearers practise abstinence for 48 days leading up to the annual Thaipusam festival.

       Arun also criticised National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique for announcing the Thaipusam SOP just last Wednesday, very close to the festival.

       In Ipoh, the committee managing the Thaipusam celebration said it is disappointed that those aged 18 and below are not allowed into the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunung Cheroh.

       Hindu Devasthana Paripalana Sabah president M. Vivekananda said the SOP states that those in this age group are not allowed in.

       “I can understand if those 12 and younger are not allowed in, but 18 and below, it just does not make sense. Those aged 12 and above are already vaccinated.

       “Teenagers in their exam year are really upset as they want to come to the temple to make vows to Lord Muruga and to seek blessings to do well in their exams,” he said.