An image of a statue of the Hindu deity Karuppasamy placed outside an apartment unit in Puchong has been circulating online recently. The statue went viral as it was positioned in a communal corridor directly adjacent to a staircase.
The issue was initially highlighted by a resident via WhatsApp. The individual reporting the matter noted that placing the deity next to the stairs would cause significant inconvenience to residents living on the floors above.
Impact on residents
The person also revealed that the apartment building lacks an elevator, meaning the stairs serve as the primary route for residents to reach their respective units.
A Karuppasamy statue depicts a popular guardian deity in Tamil folk religion, particularly within rural Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka. Karuppasamy is regarded as a protector of villages, justice, and the community; he is often invoked to ward off evil, enforce moral conduct, and safeguard crops and livestock. These statues are typically crafted from black or dark-coloured stone or metal and are occasionally adorned with red cloth, garlands, or sacred markings.
Official response and resolution
In a viral Threads post, social media users called upon the relevant authorities to intervene, citing the obstruction of shared space. Following the backlash, the statue was temporarily relocated to the basement.
In an official statement released by the National Malaysia Hindhudharma Maamandram at 11:00 PM last night (12 March), the organisation confirmed the family had moved the statue. However, the basement is not its permanent home.
“Rest assured that it will be moved to a suitable final location too,” Maamandram stated.
The relocation followed a joint operation involving the MHS Puchong Local Council Community and the Kinrara Municipal Councillor. According to the statement, the family provided full cooperation, leading to a peaceful resolution.
Additionally, Maamandram reminded other families who have placed statues in shared areas to relocate them to appropriate private or religious locations immediately.
