IT is amusing to read that holding a candlelight vigil in a Hindu temple is a desecration of a place of worship “Samy slams candlelight vigil at temples” (The Star, Jan 28)).

It is true that the kuththu vilekku is used in temples during auspicious occasions and even in daily prayers in Hindu temples.

But to say that Hindus are “very unhappy over this” (the use of candles to pray in a Hindu temple for the early release of ISA detainees) is beyond the comprehension of any ordinary and sensible Hindu mind.

When did Hindus become so intolerant and fanatical?

A Hindu temple is open to people of all religions and the use of candles has never been condemned or even discouraged by any Hindu scripture or saint.

When Hindus go to churches, they light candles there.

Thousands of Hindus throng the church in Bukit Mertajam during the annual St Anne’s Feast, and carry lighted candles and make vows. Even Hindu temple priests have done so.

Nobody has said that this is wrong.

So, what kind of a Hindu will take offence at the use of candles in Hindu temples?

The Hindu scriptures aver that God is light. And lamps are lit in temples to symbolise this. Whether one uses an oil-lamp or a ghee lamp or a candle does not matter. It is the same light. Just as God is one, so is light.

In a sense, using candles instead of oil-lamps was a wise move considering the scarcity of cooking oil in the country just a few weeks ago.

On the complaint that opposition parties were using temples to hold political ceramah, the same can be said of all parties.

A temple or for that matter any place of worship should be neutral and free from politics. It should be a place for reconciliation, not confrontation or condemnation. Every decent political leader should follow this ideal.

MS,

Penang.

Source: The Star – January 30, 2008