Singapore: Three Indian-origin Singaporean men have been arrested for disorderly behaviour during the celebration of Thaipusama, a colourful annual Hindu festival in which many believers pierce their bodies with hooks to honour Lord Murugan's victory over demon hordes.
Ramachandra Chandramohan, 32, faces seven charges, including behaving in a disorderly manner and hurting a police officer. He has also been asked to surrender his Singapore passport.
His fellow procession participant Jaya Kumar Krishnasamy, 28, faces three charges including voluntarily obstructing a police officer in the discharge of his public functions.
Gunasegaran Rajendran, 33, also faces two charges which include behaving in a disorderly conduct and with the deliberate intention to hurt the religious feelings of a police officer at the procession.
They were arrested on Tuesday and charged today. The trio are currently out on bail and will appear again in court on March 6, the Channel News Asia reported.
Thaipusam is an annual religious festival that was held on Tuesday to commemorate the occasion when Parvati gave Lord Murugan a Vel "spear" to vanquish evil demon Soorapadman.