Singapore, February 11 A Singapore court on Wednesday sentenced an Indian-origin man to 14 weeks in prison for causing offense to religious feelings and using abusive language against a public official, a local media report said.
The 36-year-old, Vikneswaran V Moganaval, pleaded guilty to one count under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and another charge of using abusive language against a public servant, according to Channel News Asia (CNA).
He was upset because his neighbor's children often played in the common corridor near his apartment, including during Diwali last year.
His neighbor lived with her husband, three children, mother-in-law, sister, and a helper in the same corridor.
He had previously complained to the Community Policing Unit about the noise problem.
Initially, the problem improved, but he became angry when the children played there during Diwali last year, which was his festival, and he said he had to cancel a gathering at his home.
Vikneshwaran was aware that his neighbor and her family were Malay-Muslim, and that pork is forbidden in Islam.
In anger, he opened a can of pork and spread it on the corridor floor, wanting his neighbors to see the pork when they walked past.
Around 10:15 pm that day, he called the police and said he felt like throwing pork at his neighbor's home.
He warned that he would confront the police if they did not come immediately.
When police arrived, they took photos of the pork in the corridor as evidence.
He was arrested on October 20, 2025, charged, and later kept at the Institute of Mental Health.
He also admitted another case where he had cursed at the police earlier in February 2025.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chong Kee En requested a sentence of 14 weeks, saying that Vikneswaran responded with "immaturity and with disgraceful actions" in a situation that called for "grace and maturity".
"Singapore is the world's most religiously diverse nation. It is also one of its most densely populated countries," CNA quoted Chong as saying.
He added that people in Singapore must be tolerant and sensitive because living closely with different communities can sometimes be messy.
In court, Vikneswaran apologized and said he was truly sorry and regretted his actions.