LETTERS: The Hindu disabled community will be among those in the country celebrating Thaipusam on Feb 5. I am writing about the funicular train service at Batu Ca ves.
We have been making continuous pleas for the past 10 years to the Batu Caves' temple management to revive the service, which was halted more than 20 years ago.
The funicular train service would make it easier for people with disabilities, senior devotees and parents with babies in prams to fulfil their vows and visit the temple, whether it be for special occasions such as Thaipusam, or for daily prayers.
An individual's right to worship should not be denied solely because of their physical condition or age. The temple management should look into the pleas of people with disabilities and revive the train service to promote inclusiveness in places of worship.
One must also understand that doing so would not only help people with disabilities, but would attract more tourists as well.
This year will be another quiet one for Lord Muruga's devotees like us. Worshipping Lord Muruga at Batu Caves during Thaipusam is important to us.
But for now, that will remain a fantasy as the disabled community will still have to pray at home. In those prayers, we will include a request for the revival of the funicular train service to cater for people with disabilities, the elderly and others.
MURUGESWARAN VEERASAMY
President, Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times