'Anwar is clearly in a vengeful mode,' says Vasantha.

Auspicious day a catalyst to reject old practices, Anwar says.

M Kulasegaran says it's unacceptable that national unity minister was ignorant.

Ponggal reminded me that we are all Malaysians, says SJK (T) Bayan Lepas principal Sangga Sinnayah.

LETTER | Muslims and Malaysians wise enough to know what is forbidden in religion.

LETTER | The public sensitivities inflamed are disconcerting, and alas, a dark comedy to the world at large.

COMMENT | Jakim’s statement on Ponggal made a mockery of the issue - but the key fact here is that it is time for this government to walk the talk on its pledges.

YOURSAY | ‘First it was Chinese New Year decorations, now it’s Ponggal.’

He says the Education Ministry should have been "very wise" in conveying the message.

LETTER | Ponggal is not a religious festival, it is a harvest festival of ethnic Indian origin.

UPDATED 1.15PM | The Education Ministry says it encourages participation in cross-cultural activities.

The cultural festival is peculiar to Tamils and celebrated much more grandly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

COMMENT | Ponggal is celebrated for a bountiful harvest and prosperity to come – and, as Malaysian Hindus point out, it has nothing to do with religion.

The circular is a backward step that won't help promote unity in wake of the Puchong school incident, says Satees Muniandy.

Ponggal fosters unity among Tamils, says Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran.

This traditional harvest festival is celebrated at the start of the month of Thai, to mark the advent of new opportunities.

MP SPEAKS | In honour of men and women who tirelessly toiled the earth to bring prosperity, goodwill and food in M'sia Baru.

A devotee prays as Ponggal rice cooks at the Sri Jagannatha Mandir temple, Kuala Lumpur.