WASHINGTON, D.C., November 21, 2007: The Malaysian Government has sought to thwart with a heavy hand a planned November 25, 2007 protest organized by the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF). The protesters intend to march to the British High Commission in order to submit a petition to the High Commissioner. The petition refers to the class action suit filed by the Malaysian Indian community against the Government of the United Kingdom for its failure to protect the minority Indian community’s rights when it drafted the Malaysian Constitution 50 years ago. In anticipation of the protest, HINDRAF leaders were arrested for “sedition,” a charge that should be dismissed as far-fetched, harassing, and intimidating. Malaysian Hindu activists have reported that water canons will be used to disperse the crowds. There are reports of road blocks all over Kaula Lumpur, and the turning away of bus loads of people coming from throughout Malaysia. Police and intelligence services have been checking text messages on cell phones for suspicious activity, and police are also closing a monorail train which passes near the British High Commission.
The planned protest is also in response to the October 30, 2007, demolition of the 100-year-old Maha Mariamman Temple in Padang Jawa by Malaysian authorities. Following that demolition, Works Minister and head of the Malaysian Indian Congress Dato Samy Vellu, who is of Indian origin, said that Hindu temples built on government land were still being demolished despite his appeals to the various state chief ministers. According to Dato Vellu, the Hindu community had no choice in the past but to build their temples on government-owned land, as they did not own any land of their own to build the temples.
“It is a sad commentary that the nations of the world are ignoring what is a serious breach of human rights and minority rights,” said Ramesh Rao, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Hindu American Foundation.