INDIAN community leaders have called for the term “Deepavali”, instead of Diwali, to be used on festive banners and arches in Kuala Lumpur.
They say the former better reflects the cultural identity of Malaysian Indians.
Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman SKK Naidu said the use of “Diwali” on banners could have been an oversight by contractors.
“Deepavali is more appropriate as most Malaysian Hindus are of south Indian heritage and commonly use this term.
“Diwali is more commonly used by north Indian communities,” Naidu added.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan had urged the government to use the term “Deepavali” which he said was the officially gazetted term.
He said he had written to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, urging her to rectify the matter. A copy was sent to the Prime Minister.
Saravanan said most Malaysian Indians originated from south India and predominantly spoke Tamil.
“Deepavali reflects their linguistic and cultural heritage.
“Diwali is a regional variation primarily used in northern India by Hindi-speaking communities.
“Using Diwali instead of the officially gazetted term risks diminishing the identity of Malaysia’s Tamil-speaking Hindu majority,” he said.
While acknowledging that the term Diwali shouldn’t be used here, Malaysia Hindu Sangam vice-president 1 Mohan Shan said any banners already printed with the word should be allowed to remain.
