The ethnic Tamil community in and around Sydney's Western region, including Westmead, NSW (where the Tamil Temple "Sydney Murugan Temple" is located), has been an integral part of the multicultural fabric of Australia for decades. However, we have recently faced challenges that threaten our ability to express ourselves freely and practice our religious rituals in the Tamil language after hearing a shocking news that Sydney Murugan Temple's Consecration will not be held in Tamil but only in Sanskrit. This not only infringes upon our rights as citizens but also threatens the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity which is one of Australia's core values. Sydney Tamil Manram (STM) is a 45-year-old organisation dedicated to promoting culture, arts and language within the Tamil community and sharing these with multicultural ethnic communities within Australia. We are deeply concerned about our right to freedom of expression in this pressing issue particularly, when it comes to our ability to worship in our native Tamil language during Poojas conducted at the Temple and during major Consecrated ceremonies. 

We would like to acknowledge that the previous Kudamuzhuku (குடமுழுக்கு) at Sydney Murugan Temple in 2012 was officiated using the Tamil language in addition to Sanskrit. So, the question arises as to why this has not been approved for this year's event as well. This omission of Tamil prayers contradicts traditional Saiva practices that have been in place for thousands of years already. In addition, it goes against the core principles this temple and the co-existing Saiva Manram have been defined in their very own constitution specifically in Article 3.1 (a)(i) where it lists its objective to “provide a forum, place, premises and/or facilities for the worship, prayer, teachings and other related religious and philosophical activities, based on Saivam and the Tamil Language;” Clearly the decision of the temple to omit the Tamil Language from this year's Kudamuzhuku is unconstitutional and we question the validity of such a decision.

We call upon local authorities and relevant stakeholders in Westmead NSW, Australia to ensure that the freedom of expression is protected for all communities including ours - providing us the right to worship using our mother tongue during Temple Consecrated ceremonies.

We would like to reinforce that we are not solely seeking to condemn the current decisions but we want to create a better experience for all devotees through the incorporation of Tamil rituals. We are not asking anything new, rather we would like to continue the previously maintained practices. We are willing to work with Sydney Saiva Manram on this matter and resolve the current issue, as well as we are willing to participate in inviting Tamil priests from India or Sri Lanka to conduct this ceremony. There is still time to make changes before the event and we are hoping you take our voice into recognition, as we all share the ultimate goal of preserving and maintaining Tamil and Saiva culture in Australia. 

Please sign this petition if you stand with us in preserving traditional Saiva and Tamil practices in this year's Sydney Murugan Temple’s Kudamuzhuku to create a solid foundation for the future.