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Tuesday 23 November 2010

Hunger strike to mark Hindraf's epic protest

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf Makkal Sakthi will hold a hunger strike at the entrance of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) on Nov 25 to commemorate the massive Hindraf rally three years ago.

In a press statement, its chairman P Waythamoorthy said a five-member delegation would also hand a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office at 10am.

“The memo will contain our 18-point demand. At the same time, another team will kickstart the hunger strike at 9am at KLCC,” he said.

Among the demands are calls for affirmative action to help all poor Malaysians especially the Indians, turn all Tamil schools into fully-government aided schools and stop the indiscriminate demolition of Hindu temples, crematoriums and burial sites.

The hunger strike, which is expected to see a turn-out between 50 to 100 people, is scheduled to end at 3pm.

“After ending the hunger strike, we will break fast and offer prayers at the Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves,” said the London-based Waythamoorthy.

He also urged those who supported the struggle to light oil lamps to commemorate the day.

“We are requesting that you light up oil lamps and in remembrance, pray with your family and friends for this eventful day that we finally stood united as one to salvage our pride and dignity against oppression,” he said.

On Nov 25, 2007, thousands of Malaysian Indians gathered at the Petronas Twin Towers in protest against “marginalisation and discrimination” by the Barisan Nasional government.

The demonstration triggered the traditional ruling party supporters to swing their votes in favour of the Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Rakyat in the March 8, 2008 general election.

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