MELAKA: Construction worker K. Ramakrishnan stayed patient when his four sons – born with deformities – were called “aliens” and “toyol”.

But when allegations surfaced that two of them were victims of physical abuse, Ramakrishnan knew he had reached his limit.

Ramakrishnan, from Bandar Hilir, said a stranger uploaded pictures of Jabesh, 11, and eight-year-old Joshua without his permission and claimed that they were residents of a welfare home, where they were abused by the caretaker.

Ramakrishnan, 37, said he loved all his children and would not let anyone abuse them.

“The allegations are untrue. They have no physical signs of being abused,” he said.

“One of my sons does have a surgical mark on his right hand from a motorcycle accident, which I was also involved in earlier this year.”

Ramakrishnan said he was with his two sons selling snacks to visitors at the Portuguese Settlement on Christmas Day when someone took their pictures.

He claimed the individual had enticed his sons with gifts.

“I never expected that person would fabricate a story that my children were abused.

“The welfare home was also accused of using them to sell knick-knacks,” he said.

He also explained that he supplemented his own income by selling snacks.

Ramakrishnan said the 53-year-old female caretaker of the home actually helped his family by providing financial assistance.

Ramakrishnan apologised to the caretaker, who had lodged a police report after being accused by NGOs of exploiting his children.

He said there were orphans from the home who attended the celebration at the settlement but his children were not from the home.

Ramakrishnan has eight children – five boys and three girls, aged from one month old to 11.

His four elder sons have physical deformities but they are otherwise normal children, he said.

He said his 55-year-old father-in-law along with three children from his wife’s family were also born with deformities.

Ramakrishnan revealed that his sons refused to go to school because they were bullied and teased.