A group representing Tamil heritage and other “caste-oppressed Hindu communities” in Australia is attempting to stop the burning of Ravana effigies around the country.
The act is planned as part of Deepavali celebrations taking place throughout October in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Deepavali — also known as Diwali — is the annual festival of lights and is widely celebrated in India and is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and others around the world.
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Some celebrations include a burning of a large effigy in the likeness of god-like figure Ravana, who is a revered ancestor and deity to some.
Anna Mahizhnan, president of the group known as Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle Australia (PATCA), said the practice was “highly offensive and hurts the feelings of Tamil people from South India”.
“It’s an insult to the entire South Indian people … people are angry, and some people want to protest against this,” he said.
President of Periyar Ambedkar Thoughts Circle Australia (PATCA) Anna Mahizhnan says the burning of Ravana effigies is “offensive”. (Supplied)
Dr Mahizhnan emphasised his community was not against the celebration of Deepavali but took issue with the burning of the effigy.
Mutharasu Kochadai, the president of Sydney Tamil Manram, said they had organised to protest outside the Blacktown Council showgrounds this weekend, when the planned burning will take place.
‘Celebrating good conquering evil’
To those celebrating the burning of the effigy, the practice represents a positive message.
Sai Paravastu, the national president of the Hindu Council of Australia, which organised the Sydney and Brisbane events, said the act was a “symbolic act rooted in ancient tradition”.
“We understand the concerns raised, but it is important to clarify that this is not a new tradition we have introduced,” he said.
“This tradition is not directed at any specific group or community. We are committed to celebrating Deepavali in a way that honours our heritage while fostering unity and harmony in Australia’s diverse society.”
Some celebrations of Deepavali will include the burning of an effigy of the god-like figure Ravana. (Supplied: Prem Prakash Mandir Temple)
Kishore Gursahani, the president of Prem Prakash Mandir Temple in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, was one of the organisers of the City of Whittlesea celebration where the effigy was burned earlier this month.
Mr Gursahani said the practice had been observed for millennia.
“It’s about celebrating good conquering evil,” he said.
“Everybody can have a different opinion, it’s a multicultural country here.
“[PATCA] called us but we told them if you have any objections please go speak with the Indian embassy.”
Cease-and-desist notices sent in attempt to stop burnings
The PATCA sent legal notices to Blacktown City Council in Sydney’s west, the City of Whittlesea in Melbourne’s north, and Mount Gravatt Showgrounds in southern Brisbane, where three burnings were to happen.
Solicitor Rita Jabri Markwell, who is representing PATCA, said local councils were at risk of “violation of Australian discrimination legislation and legislation governing local government bodies if they allow the burning of the effigy to proceed”.
According to Ms Markwell, celebrating the burning of Ravana is an “upper-caste Hindu narrative” and reflects a “deeply rooted in the belief that caste-oppressed communities are inferior, subhuman or subordinate”.
“The burning of the Ravana effigy is a form of racial discrimination and hatred as it involves the symbolic desecration of Ravana, an ancestor and God that is sacred to protected groups of people [such as caste-oppressed peoples and Tamil peoples].”
PATCA hopes the legal notice will be enough to compel councils to stop the burning of the effigy from taking place.
Mr Paravastu said the allegations of religious desecration and references to caste oppression are unfounded “and have no place in a multicultural Australia that values respect, inclusivity, and understanding”.
According to Ms Markwell, the City of Whittlesea council declined to comply with the cease-and-desist notice and the burning happened last weekend.
The City of Whittlesea council in Victoria and Sydney’s Blacktown council declined to comment.
The Mt Gravatt Showgrounds Trust said groups hiring the venue are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with relevant state and local council regulations.
The event is scheduled for October 27.
