In a stern message against religious intolerance, a Singapore court has sentenced 36-year-old Vikneswaran V Moganaval, an Indian-origin man, to 14 weeks in prison. Vikneswaran pleaded guilty to hurting religious feelings and using abusive language against a public servant. The incident, which took place on Diwali last year, was sparked by a dispute over noise from children playing in a common corridor.

Exasperated by the noise from his Malay-Muslim neighbour’s children, Vikneswaran intentionally opened a can of pork and spread it across the corridor floor, fully aware that pork is forbidden in Islam. His goal was to insult and provoke his neighbours. Later that night, he even called the police and threatened them. The Deputy Public Prosecutor emphasized that in a religiously diverse nation like Singapore, citizens must maintain “grace and maturity” while living in close proximity. Despite his apology in court, the judge ruled that his “disgraceful actions” warranted a custodial sentence to preserve social harmony.