Friday, July 25, 2008

Deepavali Controversy

Below is an e-mail from Punithan on the Deepavali leave fiasco at a school in Ipoh. Since when have some headmasters become so racist? If the story is true, I feel the 500 parents of Indian students should get together and say their protest to the HM. This would be the first step as opposed to one or two parents coming out with statements in the papers. Voice of many is much better than the voice of a few. If this does not work, then we would have to use the political will to find a solution to the problem. I don't mind working with any opposition MP or MPs or state assemblyman to tackle problems that besiege the community. Anyway I have already started working with some, on certain matters for the betterment of the community but I am not privy to divulge details, as that too will be politicised. I am certainly more than willing to join hands with opposition MPs to weed out racism. This should not be happening at all. Malaysians of all races must be sensitive to other races and ensure that their actions do not hurt another race. That is the true meaning of a multiracial society. I hope we can reach an amicable solution to this issue without blowing it out of proportion.



DEEPAVALI BREAK: HM must rethink decision


I would like to voice my frustration regarding the attitude of the headmaster of a secondary school in Ipoh who has been denying Indian students their rights for years.
Year in and year out, he has refused to apply for an additional day off for Deepavali (Monday, Oct 27) although there are more than 500 Indian students in the school.
The headmaster does not seem to think that Indian students need to celebrate the festival with their loved ones.
All my friends and relatives want their children's school to take an extra day off.
My child has to return on Deepavali night from hundreds of kilometres away to attend school the next day.
The headmaster has planned the exams conveniently the day before and after Deepavali so that Indian students will be forced to attend school.
My child told me on Tuesday that his school is only replacing two Saturdays for Hari Raya Puasa and nothing was mentioned about Deepavali.
I was informed by my friends from neighbouring schools that the government has given the green light for schools to take two extra days off after Deepavali, on Oct 28 and Oct 29.
I do hope the authorities concerned will look into this matter immediately.

Source: NST: 24 August 2008

Vanakam.

Education comes under the federal government jurisdiction and the incident happened in Ipoh , Perak. BN ruled the federal and PR ruled the state government. I do believe, without any political biasness, we can highlight this matter to higher authority either at federal or state level. Can our brothers either at federal or state level take up this issue and pressure the narrow minded HM to take extra leave so that our younger brother in the school can celebrate the Deepavali in peace?
I hope all the PR and BN Indian MP's will look into it.......... .. that's why I said 'without any political biasness'... .. our younger generations will get the benefit so why not put our political thoughts and fight for equal justice.
"When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals.
When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams,"
PUNITHAN SHAN

10 comments:

lvbala said...

Dear Saravanan,
Thats the way we want the leader to be sounded like...
Sometimes its hard to believe if this words are meant to be said for us to listen (What we would like to hear)and lets see your latest blog "Deepavali Controversy" last or shall it be called to be withdrawn as you called for a open protest likely to be politicaly abuse soon...
Anyway I shall be glad if this call is genuine.

Anonymous said...

BN is racist and you're a part of it.
if Umno can talk to it's opponent in PR for the so called Malay unity, why MIC n MCA still sleeping in kaki lima of Umno and dont want to talk to indian or chinese mps in PR for their rights.

v.mathavan

Anonymous said...

If the PMR examinations controversy can be resolved I'm sure we can do something about this.Indians MUST be respected At all costs.Lets end racism at all levels.

BMahendran said...

hahha, this is soooo 'normal' :) really, im sure many of us were not surprised with such news, its been happening foreveer. Sick of such situation tat forced the indians to go with the change. But the change has not arrived. Will it? remains a skeptical Question.

If you have time, you can read my previous writing..

http://www.bmahendran.com/?p=188
(Ignorance and us)

Mahendran

Anonymous said...

Dear Saravanan,
Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia had released a circular dated 18/07/08 regarding the replacement dates for Deepavali and Raya.Reference:

http://apps2.emoe.gov.my/tayang.php?laman=pemberitahuan&unit=utama&bhs=my&info=120&mod=baca

The exact exam schedule for both SPM and PMR yet to inform officialy.I wonder are they(KPM) going to shuffle the dates at last minutes with excuses (which had happened in the past).Racism should be curb at school level.Lots of issues related to indian students at school level are still being ignored cos they are INDIANS.

BMahendran said...

which school in ipoh is it?

Anonymous said...

why writing to Dato Saravanan when he has not got the political will and guts to oppose when UMNO said for Malay unity they will be ready to form a govt with PAS in S'gor, (with the absence of any indian assemblyman in the govt).
Sara talks a lot here, but in real life does he oppose to such racist talks? At least PAS refused to take up the offer, even when they were offered a menteri besar post by PakLah and Khir Toyo.
What was Dato Sara and MIC doing and has said about this racist talks to leave out others? Its difficult to find these heroes when UMNO does or says something racist. And the best part, after March 8, our heroes in MIC have yet to learn a lesson to fight for us!

Sara, next election Tapah also 'ille' for you - UMNO says no to MIC there! MIC will be wiped out when multiracial tsunami waves reaches Johor and Pahang.

Then like what Tun Mahatir said, which was damn funny, MIC will be left only with Samy Vellu. Muahahahahahaha.

Old Fart said...

Saravanan, obviously you are a racist. Otherwise why join MIC so that you provide the excuse to UMNO that racism is what its all about. Do us all a favour and see what you can do to dismantle MIC. Then you will be a real hero. Just let UMNO alone to be the only racist party. Lets move on.

But this will never be will it? Because with MIC you can be Party President and you can jadi Minister and all that right? There is so much power and access to funds...and of course you get your Datukships and so on.

If it was a party like DAP or Gerakan then you got to compete with a lot of others..Might as well be a shark in a fish bowl than to be an ikan bilis in the sea. Right?

I am not even asking you guys to be out of BN....you can go on being in BN. just combine forces with MCA, Gerakan, PPP and whoever else and just be a single party open to anyone and everyone, including Malays and be part of BN. Is that too difficult?

I just went to a Catholic Church yesterday and found both Chinese nad Indians worshiping there. The service was in English. But on notices I saw that they had events or activities that were for Tamil speakers, Chinese speakers and Malay as well. But everyone comes together for the main services.

so don't gve me the bull about Indians got to take care of themselves. You guys are only self -serving and more importantly you are serving UMNO.

And I will bet wiht you, the biggest objectors to this suggestion will not be the masses. It will be only the leaders in your various parties as well as all of UMNO!

So don't waste time with all this Deepavali controversies. All that I will say is after 50 years of listening to the same stuff, whats new? Why pretend like as if this is something new when the way you guys have constituted yourselves, you invite these things for yourself.

MAKKAL SHAKTI said...

ONCE AGAIN PAKATAN RAKYAT GOVERNMENT DISAPPOINTED INDIANS. NEWLY FORMED PAKATAN RAKYAT PENANG COUNCILORS ABRUBTLY REJECTED THE LAND ALLOCATED FOR AZAD TAMIL SCHOOL IN BAGAN JERMAL, PENANG.

WE STILL GOING TO SIT BACK AND SAY THAT THEY JUST TOOK CHARGE AND MUST GIVE THEM TIME. NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS AND THEY CLOSING DOWN TAMIL SCHOOLS....

THE LAND AND FUND WAS FOUGHT BY MIC BEFORE THE GE. SO THEY HAVE RESPONSIBLE TOO. WHAT THEY GOING TO ABOUT IT? WORK SOMETHING ON OR GOING TO SAY ITS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS?

DR SURESH said...

Dear Saravanan,

Why is that the Indians always have to fight for this and that?Now you are asking those 500 parents to go and protest?Don,t you think you are no different from Samy Velu?What is your duty as a leader in MIC with regards to the Indian people in Malaysia?Why the ringgit have shut your mouth is it?You said you came up the hard way,that should be more the reason to stand up against UMNO.Dont be bloody lame ducks always.I also came up the hard way but i didnt claim to represent the Indians,all I can do is some small help to my relations and friends with their education,but you have the power,so prove it to the Indians now or you fellas in the MIC will be annihilated in the next GE.

Why are you all in MIC keeping quiet with regards to the BN-PAS talks on malay-muslim unity?Where are the talks about Malaysian unity?Show some mettle if you want to survive in politics.What happened to all those stateless poor Indians,some of their kids have been forced out of school.Would like to hear your reply.
TQ.