Ipoh (Malaysia), Oct. 8 : The Perak unit of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has been denied permission to hold a Deepavali celebration in Little India here.

This is the first time in 16 years that the celebration will not be held.

The New Strait Times quoted Perak executive councilor A. Sivanesan as saying that holding the celebration would be going against the law.

Perak MIC chief G. Rajoo has been told that his application for holding the Deepavali celebrations in Little India has been rejected.

Sivanesan said the Ipoh City Council had approved the state’s application to hold the celebration in Little India from October 14 to 25.

“It is final. The best Rajoo can do is to celebrate Deepavali happily with his loved ones in his house,” said Sivanesan.

He, however, said Rajoo was invited to attend the celebration in Little India.

He said there would be 75 stalls that would be rented out at a fee of between RM200 and RM900, depending on their size. (ANI)