Hindu minority in Malaysia make up 7% in a population of 27 million. Their religious rights were challenged by a group of muslim protesting the building of a temple in Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor, a neighboring state of Kuala Lumpur.

The Sri MahaMarimma Temple is 150 yrs old and situated in a plantation, when the area was developed the temple was left as it was but there was a move to relocate it to where it may be easily accessible to Hindus.The residents claimed the temple was being built in a neighborhood of 90% Muslims and would not serve any purpose to them.

However, what is making headlines is the unseen display of religious discord in an ethic mix country like Malaysia. The protestors were carrying a head of a cow and dumped it on the gates of state Secretariate. This is unheard of and is a sign of great disrespect, insensitivity, and an insult to the Hindu Indian community.

Human Resource Minister, Dr. Subraminum has taken a strong note of the incident and informed the Prime Minister.MIC President Datuk.S.Samy Vellu strongly condemned the action and said,”The cow is sacred animal of Hindus and for the group to resort to a such action is intolerable and tantamount to challenging the freedom of religion as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution.

Nobody can be allowed to challenge or ridicule any religion in this country.”The Prime Minister is also infuriated by the incident on the eve of Independence day and asked the police to investigate the incident and reiterate his policy of 1 Malaysia where Indian, Chinese and Malay live in harmony.