Kuala Lampur, Jan. 14 -- Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran today chastised those who labelled the Ponggal harvest festival a religious one, following an alleged circular cautioning Muslims in schools on how they should limit their participation in the festival.

The Ipoh Barat MP pointed out that the aim of Ponggal is to foster unity among Tamils for the preservation of the community's culture and literature.

"It is incorrect to label the festival a religious one, as it has no religious significance.

"I will bring this up to Cabinet tomorrow in order to clarify matters," he said in a statement.

Kulasegaran's remarks came following a letter which has gone viral on social media.

The letter was allegedly issued by an official from ...