A different Thaipusam
UPDATED VERSION. From The Star, a newspaper that's prone to downsizing crowd size:
Thousands of devotees made their way to Batu Caves yesterday although the number was considerably smaller this year.Many who turned up were aware of the SMSes and calls to boycott Batu Caves this year following the fracas between a group of Indians and the police outside the temple on Nov 25.
This is despite the fact that the Batu Caves temple committee has said it's now optional for devotees to pay the RM10 for carrying milk pots (pal kudam) or kavadi at the annual Thaipusam processions.
The committee has also reduced the price of the pal kudam for children from RM10 to RM5 this year.
DIFFERENT TEMPLE. As stated earlier by my friend Surind two days before Thaipusam, the Sri Bala Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Port Klang became the new congregation point for the devotees. It saw the largest-ever crowd in its 160-year history.
In fact two days ago, Surind estimated a 100,000 crowd. The Star, the newspaper prone to minimising crowd size, just confirmed it.
Comments
Let us get one thing straight. Is the reduced crowds for the Chariot's journey and the expected reduction in numbers attending Thaipusam an act of protest against the temple authorities or is it an act of protest at the continued detention under ISA of the Hindraf 5 and a show of support for Hindraf?
Not satisfied with teh continued marginalisation of Indians Badawi now slaps them in the face with the insult of making Thiapusam day a holiday for KL and Putrajaya. So now, the Indians are appeased are they? Or should they be ever so grateful?
Posted by: Observer![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 23, 2008 11:45 AM
A very rare Thaipusam, i think. Traffic jams not as heavy as usual.
- Malaysiakita, Tmn Melewar, 68100 Batu Caves
Posted by: penarikbeca![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 23, 2008 08:54 PM
I was there at Batu Caves just to see the crowd.
It certainly a big blow to Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam chief Datuk Nadaraja and MIC in total.
The temporary shops which usually floaded there, looks not only little, but people certainly "boycott" the purchases too.
Again Hindraf 1 - MIC/BN/or Whoever - 0
This is just a preview of what Indians are going to show in the coming elections.
Whatever BN doing now will not going to change Indian's decisions anymore.
Pls Note : The Holiday given for KL/Putrajaya because of so called "traffic jams" and not because it is an important event for Indians/Hindus..
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/21/nation/20072823&sec=nation
Hidup Malaysia.. Malaysia Boleh!
http://www.123indianonline.com
Posted by: Mogeilen![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 23, 2008 10:58 PM
And how did the temple official spin out the lack of stalls being taken up? “We have reduced the numbers so that the public can have more walking space”
What about Samy? To maintain his pride said “'I have come to Thaipusam since I was 11 years old. I know the crowd. It is the SAME as before,' he told reporters at Batu Caves.
So what can we say except that he is completely out of touch with the reality of the any situation including the marginalization of the majority of the Indian community?
So how can he continue to fight for their rights when he seems to be totally unaware of what is going on? In fact NST reported of wasted food confirms the foreign & local experts who can gauge more accurately the turnout at Batu Caves on, before and after Thaipusam day.
Mode details, pics & video clip of the reduced numbers in Batu Caves at
http://powerpresent.blogspot.com/2008/01/more-pics-video-partial-boycott.html
and an inserted video glimpse of the event in Penang
Posted by: mwt![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 24, 2008 05:41 PM