Any delay will only open doors for more people to discriminate against the disabled, says wheelchair-bound activist Anthony Thanasayan.
PETALING JAYA: Former PJ councillor Anthony Thanasayan lashed out at Bukit Gasing state assemblyman, Rajiv Rishyakaran, for his inaction against a temple that victimised the disabled.
The Hindu temple, located on Bukit Gasing, had barred wheelchair-bound devotees from entering the temple proper to offer their prayers.
Anthony said he was disappointed with the DAP state assemblyman for skirting the issue.
He said was important for the state assemblyman to take action as the delay will only “open doors for people to discriminate against the disabled”.
“I voted for him in the last general election. Rest assured I would not be voting for him again,” he said.
Rajiv, on his Facebook page today, said he did not intend to wash his hands off the matter, adding that he had spoken to the temple chairman and has scheduled a meeting with the temple committee.
“I fully understand and feel for the disabled community. They have already been dealt a tough hand, and should not be penalised or excluded for their disabilities. It is beyond horrible,” he said.
Wheelchairs a necessity to some
Anthony, however, said that Rajiv or the authorities did not have to wait for the committee to decide on the matter.
“Why wait to take action on this issue when he can make statements on other issues? He should just come out and say that he will not tolerate such discrimination.
“If he goes to the church and people discriminate him based on his looks, how would he feel?” asked Anthony, and lamented that Rajiv could never ‘fully understand’ unless he himself used a wheelchair.
“Rajiv says that it is beyond horrible, so why isn’t he condemning and naming the temple?”
Rajiv said the incident had made him realise how organised religions have practised discrimination but Anthony was quick to add it was not a religious issue as other temples allow the use of wheelchairs.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Animal Welfare Society president, Shenaaz Khan, said the temple committee should severely be dealt with and reminded that wheelchairs are not a luxury but a necessity to some.
She added that for the temple to cite space and cleanliness as justification for denying the disabled entry was blatant discrimination and “reflects the indifference borne by the committee members”.
“While we celebrate the late Karpal Singh, those in a similar are being discriminated against by this temple. I cannot imagine a gurdwara refusing him entry or any wheelchair-bound individual,” she said.
The temple in question had put up a signboard detailing the rules devotees need to adhere to during visits there.
One of the rules of on temple’s notice board explicitly says: “Wheelchairs are not permitted within temple premises as with the general rule of shoes and slippers.”
The Hindu temple, located on Bukit Gasing, had barred wheelchair-bound devotees from entering the temple proper to offer their prayers.
Anthony said he was disappointed with the DAP state assemblyman for skirting the issue.
He said was important for the state assemblyman to take action as the delay will only “open doors for people to discriminate against the disabled”.
“I voted for him in the last general election. Rest assured I would not be voting for him again,” he said.
Rajiv, on his Facebook page today, said he did not intend to wash his hands off the matter, adding that he had spoken to the temple chairman and has scheduled a meeting with the temple committee.
“I fully understand and feel for the disabled community. They have already been dealt a tough hand, and should not be penalised or excluded for their disabilities. It is beyond horrible,” he said.
Wheelchairs a necessity to some
Anthony, however, said that Rajiv or the authorities did not have to wait for the committee to decide on the matter.
“Why wait to take action on this issue when he can make statements on other issues? He should just come out and say that he will not tolerate such discrimination.
“If he goes to the church and people discriminate him based on his looks, how would he feel?” asked Anthony, and lamented that Rajiv could never ‘fully understand’ unless he himself used a wheelchair.
“Rajiv says that it is beyond horrible, so why isn’t he condemning and naming the temple?”
Rajiv said the incident had made him realise how organised religions have practised discrimination but Anthony was quick to add it was not a religious issue as other temples allow the use of wheelchairs.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Animal Welfare Society president, Shenaaz Khan, said the temple committee should severely be dealt with and reminded that wheelchairs are not a luxury but a necessity to some.
She added that for the temple to cite space and cleanliness as justification for denying the disabled entry was blatant discrimination and “reflects the indifference borne by the committee members”.
“While we celebrate the late Karpal Singh, those in a similar are being discriminated against by this temple. I cannot imagine a gurdwara refusing him entry or any wheelchair-bound individual,” she said.
The temple in question had put up a signboard detailing the rules devotees need to adhere to during visits there.
One of the rules of on temple’s notice board explicitly says: “Wheelchairs are not permitted within temple premises as with the general rule of shoes and slippers.”
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