In case you didn't know, Thaipusam is an annual Hindu festival in Singapore.

During Thaipusam, devotees here walk from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road carrying milk pots and wooden kavadis.

However, a devotee shared a Facebook post detailing his experience at this year's celebration:

Followed by police officer

According to Pradeep, a police officer and a Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) personnel stopped the procession and accused the group of "singing too loudly".

The two officers were also said to have allegedly surrounded the group to take a video of "each and every family member and supporter of (our) kavadi".

Police statement

On Feb. 7, three days after Pradeep's Facebook post was uploaded, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) posted a clarification on the incident:

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Exception for Thaipusam

In the Facebook post, the Police explained that while outdoor religious foot processions are generally not allowed, the government has made an exception for Thaipusam in view of the "festival's significance and importance to the community".

Stopped twice for amplifying singing and playing instruments

The Police confirmed that the incident indeed took place at around 4am, where the group was singing using portable loudspeakers and musical instruments.

This, according to the statement was not allowed under the Thaipusam permit conditions.

When approached, one of the participants claimed that they weren't using musical instruments but eventually complied after being advised by an HEB official.

However, the same group was observed still amplifying the singing through portable loudspeakers and was once again advised to lower the volume.

It was also mentioned that the police had received a noise disturbance complaint "related to the Thaipusam procession".

Being filmed for 30 minutes "patently untrue"

The Police also took the opportunity to debunk the statement in Pradeep's post that mentioned the police had followed the group "for a good 30 minutes".

Each of the two engagements, according to the Police, was no longer than 10 minutes.

"Police officers and HEB officials were accommodative during the engagements despite the group having broken the law and challenging them. Both engagements were filmed in their entirety by Police for evidentiary purposes, both in the interests of the devotees and the Police."

What is permitted for Thaipusam?

While the restriction on the playing of musical instruments during Thaipusam was introduced in 1973, the government has increasingly allowed religious music over the years after receiving feedback from devotees.

"Since 2011, devotees have been able to sing religious hymns along the procession if no amplification devices are used. Static music transmission points were allowed in 2012 to broadcast music to devotees. The number of such music points allowed has increased from just two in 2012, to 23 since last year. Since 2016, three live music points were allowed along the procession route."

Top image via Pradeep Thana's Facebook page.