Recently, a Facebook group had threatened to track down women who are “dressed inappropriately” during Thaipusam and spray paint their bodies. But you’ll be pleased to know that the group objectifying what women should or should not wear during Thaipusam celebrations are being tracked down by the police.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said they were aware of a post by the group which has gone viral on Facebook. The Facebook group had warned Hindu women to expect being sprayed with paint should they be “inappropriately dressed” at Thaipusam events.
“Thaipusam Spraying Group” page creator, Henry Barnabas, posted pictures revealing the backs of women donning different designer saree blouses with a comment: “Advance warning to Hindu female patrons coming to Thaipusam festival, beware of being sprayed with aerosol paint if found inappropriately dressed…”
The police were not amused. And frankly, we aren’t amused either. “What these individuals are planning to do is unlawful, and we will not allow it. If anyone is caught breaking the law, they will be dealt with,” Comm. Abdul Samah said yesterday.
He said the police were also looking into who created the Facebook page. Comm. Abdul Samah urged anyone with information to come forward and assist the police.
Netizens have also been critical of the group that is threatening the peace at Thaipusam events. Many Facebook users have called out the warning as “stupid” and said the men should “stay home instead of being a nuisance”.
Thaipusam Task Force coordinator G. Gunaraj said it “will not condone such behaviour and will reach out to the police and enforcement officers.”
“There is a dress code that should be followed and we can only educate people to follow it. We can’t force them and it is not right to do so.”
Wanita MIC leader Datuk Mohana Muniandy also commented that the group should not take the law into their own hands under the guise of religion. “We can advise people to dress accordingly, but we cannot punish them,” she said, adding that Wanita MIC would lodge nationwide police reports against the group for mocking and inciting violence.
Frankly, we’re appalled that a group of men had even thought about what to do to women who don’t dress according to the dress code. But we’re glad that the police are looking into the group’s self-righteous claims and plans on moral policing others.
Here’s to hoping this Thaipusam would be a spiritually memorable one for our Hindu friends. And spray-paint free.
[Source]
