JOHOR BARU: Two major Indian groups have rejected a recent meeting involving a select group of individuals purportedly representing Hindu interests in discussions on temple related issues.
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) and the National Hindu Temples Steering Committee (NHTSC) said in a joint statement that the recent meeting has no mandate, legitimacy and no authority to speak on behalf of the Hindu community in Malaysia.
MHS president Ganesan Thangavellu said the absence of the overwhelming majority of Hindu NGOs, temple committees and national-level leadership renders any outcome from such a meeting fundamentally unrepresentative.
He added that MHS represents a nationwide network of over 1,800 temples and more than 200 Hindu organisations.
He said NHTSC is the only structured platform currently working at a national level to address temple issues through legal, policy and stakeholder engagement frameworks.
"Any attempt to sideline these institutions is not only irresponsible but undermines genuine efforts to resolve long-standing temple issues.
"At a time when Hindu temples are facing eviction notices, relocation pressures and enforcement actions, the community does not need symbolic dialogues," Ganesan said in a statement posted on social media.
The two major groups call for clear political will, structured engagement and decisive action.
The statement followed a report in a Malay daily that several Islamic and Hindu NGOs had an initial meeting to find middle ground to help resolve problematic issues affecting both communities.
Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (Pembela) chairman Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar was quoted as saying that the two sides had a four-hour meeting via a Harmoni Madani programme.
Ganesan also asked the authorities if there would be an immediate moratorium on all enforcement actions against Hindu temples pending the implementation of the NHTSC structured national plan.
"Will all existing notices of eviction, relocation and related actions be reviewed, suspended or revoked in good faith?
"What binding assurances are being put in place to ensure that temples will not continue to be subjected to recurring threats and uncertainty?" he questioned.
He added that without firm commitments, any talk of "common ground" was premature, superficial and ultimately meaningless.
He said MHS and NHTSC were ready to engage but only through legitimate, inclusive and structured platforms with all key stakeholders present.
"Anything less is not dialogue. It is deflection," he said.
