IN AN industry that is famous for placing many restrictions on the type of reporting and content, it is simply unbelievable that Malay language radio station ERA FM had seen fit to upload a video that openly mocks Hindu traditions.
Uploaded onto the radio station’s social media platform, the clip shows a staff mimicking the Hindu Kavadi dance and chanting “Vel, Vel” in a manner that is clearly offensive and derogatory.
This blatantly racist video has raised the heckles of many, not least MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan. Demanding an apology, the Tapah has MP hit out:
“This is not just stupidity – it’s a blatant insult to the faith and traditions of Hindus in Malaysia. Such a disgusting display of ignorance and disrespect has no place in our society.
“ERA FM as a media organisation should know better than to allow this kind of offensive nonsense.
“Their staff have proven themselves to be utterly unfit to work in the media industry if they lack even the most basic understanding of religious and cultural sensitivities. This is not humour but an act of mockery that deeply offends the Hindu community.”
Saravanan further urged the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to act against the station as allowing such a blatant act to go unpunished will set a dangerous precedent for the future for other media outlets.
The reaction online was similarly caustic. One example was posted on TikTok by @muttoncurry who could not hide his disgust at this blatant disrespect who asked if there were no SOPs (standard operating procedures) in place when uploading videos.
As a mainstream media organisation, it should have been clear on what is permissible and what is deemed insensitive.
Many netizens lay the blame at the door of comedian and presenter Azad @ Jazmin John Louis Jefri (a.k.a. Pak Azad) for this serious lack of judgement in mocking Hindus. According to them, his joke has gone against the teachings of Islam where other religions are to be respected.
Many netizens also lamented at how all Malay Muslims would be tarred with the same brush because of the insensitive actions of the few brainless individuals.
Media organisations are constantly reminded not to stir up 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues, hence it is incomprehensible that the radio station could be so insensitive by uploading such offensive content.
As many netizens have pointed out, respect and tolerance are essential in maintaining peace and harmony. Such infantile mocking of other religions has no place in a multi-cultural society.
One netizen summed it up succinctly. – March 4, 2025
