Converts abandoned, not guided
P Dev Anand Pillai
The predicament that Banggarma from Penang is going through is very common amongst the Indians in the country. The question is, why do our authorities whom these poor souls place their trust in, allow such practices?
Although the authorities may argue that this has been the practice since olden days, in this day and age, the child who has been placed in the trust of such an authority should be allowed the freedom to choose their religion when he or she is at an age where they can decide.
In this case, even though she attended some religious classes, she has been left to fend for herself and hence, she returns to her roots which is Hinduism.
The authorities may have had good intentions when they did the act of conversion. In any other part of the world and as history has shown us, conversion to the religion of the provider has always been the case as it is easier for providence to flow to the destitute.
The Christian missionaries have been doing this all throughout the lands that they have conquered and through this civilisation, a sense of belonging arises where a vast segment of those who have been neglected seek to uplift their social status.
But the authorities in the Malaysian case have failed to continuously counsel, motivate and guide the new entrant or convert which leaves the new convert not much choice but to return to their roots. Please note that one is not blaming any party in this predicament but this seems to be a common occurrence which no one wants to about.
There may be many in the same predicament that Banggarma is in but do not know whom to turn to or which authority to go to for help. The National Registration Department (JPN) is not very helpful as they are only worried about registration and once registered, it is a one-way ticket with no possible return in sight.
Once these converts return to their roots, living life as a Hindu, carrying out religious practices as a Hindu and marrying someone from the same faith and begetting children, the problem further worsens. Once the marriage cannot be registered, their children too will be affected.
The authorities will be in a confused state because of the lack of trite law and will go ahead to give these individuals identification certificates which are lacking in vital information which one needs to get by in Malaysia.
This predicament leads to a life of uncertainty and these individuals may see themselves rejected in every sphere of their endeavour in trying to get jobs, doing business or even their basic right to education. At the end of the day, this sows the seeds of hatred and many turn to a life of crime because no questions are asked in this field. As long as the job is done, the rewards are given.
So the question is, who do we blame? In the case of Banggarma, her conversion should be nullified by the religious authorities, her marriage properly registered, her identity card recorded with the correct details and her children’s birth certificates filled in with the correct particulars so that the whole family can lead a normal life.
Again, the question is, is there a political will? Do we have such a will? If the current administration’s propaganda of a ‘1Malaysia’ is worth its salt, then issues like these should be of paramount interest. But as we all know, it is just a mere slogan with the system going on as usual with nothing changing.
The people want solutions to problems not slogans, songs, dance and advertisements. We can only find the answers if our institutions are freed from the clutches of the executive and when there is respect for the highest law of the land which is the constitution. Till then, there will be many more Banggarmas.
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