A complaint has been lodged against Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thirumavalavan with the Malaysian authorities by temple activist Rangarajan Narasimhan, Malaysian Tamils, and several Malays for his controversial remarks during the 11th World Tamil Research Conference at the University of Malaya.
The conference, which took place from 21st to 23rd July 2023, aimed to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas among Tamil scholars and scholars from various other languages globally. Among the key guests on the first day was VCK head Thirumavalavan, who addressed the attendees, focusing on Tamil nationalism in his speech.
During his address, Thirumavalavan made remarks that denigrated Sanatana Dharma (Hindu religion) while expressing admiration for other Abrahamic religions. He stated, “Philosophy is different and the institutions that implement the philosophy are different, Islam is philosophy. The Muslim religion is an institution that builds mosques, creates imams and ulema, and provides training to recite Quran – that is the institutional process but Islam is a philosophy, Christianity is philosophy, Buddhism is a philosophy – these philosophies speak about brotherhood. What is the philosophy of the Hindu religion? What is the philosophy of Vaishnavism? What is the philosophy of Saivism? Or what is the philosophy of Hindutva? Sanatan Dharma is said to be its philosophy, they claim it is Sanatan Dharma. That Sanatan Dharma rejects brotherhood. This is the problem. It also attacks the Tamil community, it destroys the unity of Tamils. We cannot do anything that can destroy Tamil unity as a Tamil nationalism.”
His statements triggered immediate discontent among a section of the audience, who interrupted him, shouting, “Hey nippatra, (hey stop it), the topic you are speaking on itself is not right!” Subsequently, the event organizer was compelled to issue a clarification, emphasizing that Thirumavalavan’s remarks represented his personal views and did not reflect the views of the organization or the Conference.
In this situation, temple activist Rangarajan Narasimhan, joined by several Malaysian Tamils and Malays, filed a complaint with the Malaysian authorities. The complaint alleges that the VCK chief’s speech constitutes hate speech against the Hindu religion and promotes enmity between various religions.
I told you, that I am a man of my words. Here is the complaint on @thirumaofficial to the Malaysia Authorities. More than a dozen Malaysian Tamlians/Malays filed complaints with the authorities. I will keep updating the progress. pic.twitter.com/2NU8VpvmZV
— Rangarajan Narasimhan (@OurTemples) August 6, 2023
The excerpts of the complaint letter:
“During this 11th World Tamil Research Conference, several political leaders and scholars from India attended. One, Mr. Thirumavalavan, leader of Vidudhalai Ciruthai Katchi (VCK) from Tamil Nadu, and a sitting Member of the Indian Parliament also made his speech at the conference. During the speech, he spoke in such a way as to create a rift and unrest between various religious communities of Malaysia, by spreading hatred among each other.
This was opposed right there and a law and order situation was averted by the swift action of the event organizers and the Hon’ble Minister Mrs. Saraswathi Kandasami, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives who was present in the event. As per S. 3(1) states: S(3) (1) A “seditious tendency” is a tendency-
(a) To bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against any Ruler.
(b) To excite the subjects of any Ruler or the inhabitants or any territory governed by any Government to attempt to procure in the territory of the Ruler or governed by the Government, the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any matter as by law established.
(c) [deleted]
(d) To raise discontent or disaffection amongst the subjects of the Yang di- Pertuan Agong or of the Ruler of any State or amongst the inhabitants of Malaysia or of any State;
(e) To promote of ill will and hostility or hatred between different races or classes of the population of Malaysia;
(ea) to promote feelings of ill will, hostility or hatred between persons or groups of persons on the ground of religion; or
(f) to question any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative established or projected by the provisions or Part III of the Federal Constitution or Article 152, 153 or 181 of the Federal Constitution.
Section 3(1)(e)(ea) of the Sedition Act, 1948 confirms that the speech of Mr. Thirumavalavan is targeted to create a situation where citizens of Malaysia from different religions develop ill will and hatred amongst themselves.
In order to protect the integrity and sovereignty of Malaysia, I humbly request the authority to take necessary legal action to bring the perpetrator Mr. Thirumavalavan to Justice and to not allow him to enter Malaysia in the future as this person is known to spread hatred between various communities in India as well.”
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