Surveys used to show that 87% of Indians supported the ruling coalition. Now, that figure has dropped to 15-20%: “Why? We are left out of the mainstream of development, we are marginalized, and we are not given opportunities in the government sector or universities.”
November 25th and HINDRAF, which began as an organization promoting Indian culture and religious education, have become shorthands for dissent, dissatisfaction, and — in the mind of the government — sedition.
They are angry and energized like never before. Despite their entrenched second-class status in Malaysia and their failure to gain a foothold in the surging economy, most Indians would probably not have challenged the status quo. But when property developers began destroying Hindu temples, often historical but unused, the Indian community began to protest.
The November 25th rally was the largest of a series of agitations, provoked by the temple destruction and the failure of Samy Vellu, president of the MIC, to halt the practice. The MIC was no longer seen as an effective Indian voice in Malaysia’s government. The indefinite detention of the HINDRAF Five was the final straw.
“Most Indians are average wage earners. Why are they coming forward now?” “They feel this is the only opportunity they have to tell the government enough is enough — give us what is rightly owed to us.”
Malaysia recalls those of another British-schooled lawyer who fought for the rights of a minority population in a former colony. Mohandas Gandhi’s work in South Africa was about securing for Indians what was rightfully theirs under the law. Those who have rallied behind HINDRAF, are only asking for their due. “We’ve got the quota system in Malaysia. It’s a policy matter that Indians should be given ten percent in all sectors,”
Indians have lost their faith in BN and they are going to support Pakatan Rakyat all the way. The community which supported BN for 50 years, will never make the same mistake agian. Therefore BN is going to be irrelevant to Indian community.
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