You might have heard from your Hindu friends or read about the Thaipusam procession incident this year.
Here’s what really happened for those who are clueless about this incident.
How it started
Netizen Pradeep Thana published a Facebook post on 5 Feb alleging that a Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) member and a police officer stopped their kavadi and accused them of singing too loudly.
According to Pradeep, a girl was singing hymns and supporting her father along Serangoon Road and Selegie Road when the HEB member and police officer allegedly “disrupted” them and started taking videos.
Police’s clarification
The police released an official statement on on 7 Feb to clarify this matter.
In case you find the Police’s statement too long, here are some key points by the Police:
- The incident took place at around 4am
- Some participants were singing and it was amplified through portable loudspeakers
- They also played musical instruments
- HEB official stopped them as it was not permitted under Thaipusam permit conditions
- The group challenged the HEB official but eventually complied and continued with the procession
- At 4.30am, they started to sing and amplify the singing again
- HEB officials and Police officers advised them to lower volume
- Someone complained to the Police about noise disturbance
- Police only engaged the group for 10 minutes and not 30 minutes as alleged
- It was filmed by Police for evidentiary purposes only
- Police officers and HEB officials were accomodative during the engagements despite the groups breaking the law and challenging the them
In 1973, there was a restriction on playing musical instruments along the Thaipusam procession route.
However, this rule was relaxed in 2011 and devotees are allowed sing religious hymns along the route if they did not use any amplification devices.
In 2012, static music transmission points were also allowed to broadcast music to devotees. The music points increased from two in 2012 to 23 points last year. Three live music points were also allowed along the procession route since 2016.
The Police recognises that it’s a delicate issue and they are doing their best to maintain religious harmony in Singapore:
“The Police will continue to work closely with HEB to ensure that the Thaipusam procession continues to take place in a peaceful and safe manner, for the sake of the devotees, their families and the many children who also participate, and the residents, businesses and general public along the procession route.”
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