Hindu groups, Indian parties demand action against Muslim preacher
MIC Youth and several other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) organised a protest in Brickfields today urging authorities to take action against a Muslim preacher who was recorded on video, insulting Hinduism.
The Malaysiakini newsportal reported that hundreds had gathered to protest against Ustaz Shahul Hamid Seeni Mohd and demanded that action be taken against him for insulting the Hindu religion during a speech in Shah Alam in February.
Besides that, more than 400 police reports have been lodged nationwide against Shahul for his remarks.
MIC vice-president M. Saravanan demanded to know whether Shahul is a PAS member, the portal reported.
"If it's true, PAS must take action against him," Saravanan was quoted as saying.
Bernama reports that representatives of the MIC, PPP and several Hindu NGOs lodged a police report in Penang.
The 30 people, representing the Wanita, Youth and Putera wings of Penang MIC, PPP and Hindu NGOs made the report against Shahul at the Patani Road police station in George Town.
Penang Putera MIC chief N.G. Senthelnathan was quoted by Bernama as saying that they wanted the police to conduct an investigation and stop Shahul from giving any more talks until the probe had been completed.
"It is not wrong for him to give a talk on Islam but he should not touch on other religions," he said.
In the video which went viral, Shahul was heard telling Muslims to boycott curry powder products from "Hindu companies" such as Alagappa's and Baba's.
"If you go to the Alagappa's factory near Permatang Pauh, you will see a statue (goddess) at the entrance, and the tongue is out. Why is the tongue out? Because the goddess must taste all the curry powder before they sell it," Shahul was reported as saying in the recording.
However, upon learning that the clip of his incendiary remark had been uploaded on social media, Shahul, who is a Penangite, posted an apology on his Facebook account yesterday and also released a video clip apologising for his remarks.
He said that he had not realised anyone would upload the video as he had made the statement in a closed-door event and it was not for public viewing.
Shahul apologised to Hindus and Malaysians for his insults, which was made during a "halal and haram" forum.
Shahul also claimed that the video was uploaded without his knowledge or permission by those whose intentions were bad.
"I may have spoken certain words during my speech that could be interpreted as an insult to the Indian community.
“I apologise for any offensive remarks that might have insulted them and others. I will assure you that this will never happen again,” Shahul said.
However, Saravanan insisted that action must be taken against Shahul, adding that a protest will be organised in front of Shahul's house if no action is taken by the police within a week.
In a short statement, MIC President Datuk Seri G.Palanivel also took Shahul to task, adding that it was not the preacher's "job" to criticise the Hindu faith. – July 30, 2014.
