Court case filed against HEB and SMT's trustees

Singapore, Oct 3 (UNI) A Singapore Indian lawyer M Ravi has filed a court case against the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) and the board of trustees of the Sri Mariamman Temple (SMT) in Singapore, citing discrimination against women for barring them from participating in the annual fire-walking ritual held annually before Diwali.

Mr Ravi claims the ritual violates Singapore's Constitution on gender discrimination, as women are not allowed to walk over the 4m coal-fire pit. Only male devotees are allowed to walk barefoot on hot coals as a form of penance or thanksgiving in honour of the goddesses Sri Mariamman and Sri Drowpathai Amman.

The High Court was to hear the case yesterday but Mr Ravi has been hospitalised at a private hospital in Singapore since September 20, according to Singapore media reports today.

However, the organisers, including the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple have proceeded with organising the colourful event for 1.30 am next Monday on Oct 9, which is annually attended by more than 3,000 male devotees every year and is one of the calendar events for tourists in Singapore.

The devotees would walk about 4 km from Sri Mariamman Temple in Serangoon Road, which is also called 'Little India', to Sri Mariamman Temple in the Central Business District to participate in the fire-walking rituals. Decorative lights along the route of the 4-km walk and at the two temples have been put for celebration of Diwali and related events this month.

The women would be allowed to walk around the fire-pit after all the male devotees have completed their fire-walk.

During last year's fire-walking ceremony, four male devotees were hurt when they walked over the fire and were hospitalised.

But such incidents were rare, said Sri Mariamman Temple chairman R Dhinakaran. This year, a team of 10 rescue workers has been readied while a team of doctors, nurses and an ambulance would be on standby.

Meanwhile, Mr Ravi has yet to file the required affidavits to support his application and the High Court has adjourned his case, giving him time to do so.

UNI XC SBA VP0700