Activist lodges police report over death threats

P. Rajendran, an activist for the Indian community, lodged a police report at the Timur Laut District police headquarters here today claiming that he has been receiving death threats.

P. Rajendran, 55, said that he believed the threats via the short-messaging system (SMS) and WhatsApp had to do with his voicing out against a proposed procession to parade the "vel" (spear) carried by Lord Murugan on a golden chariot during the Thaipusam celebration here next month.

Speaking to reporters after lodging the report, Rajendran, who is also a community moderator for the National Unity and Integration Department in Bukit Mertajam, said that since Jan 10, he had lodged five police reports after being assaulted and injured by a group of men.

He added that he had also sent a protest letter to Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, who is also the chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board, regarding the matter (procession).

Several news portals prior to this had reported Ramasamy as saying that a procession involving the golden chariot would also be held in conjunction with Thaipusam this year. - BERNAMA