Hindraf re-strategising

(Malaysiakini) The banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is planning to branch out into other civil rights movements to strengthen their struggle and make it difficult for the government to pin them down. Its activists are also mulling the formation of a political party to further champion the cause of disgruntled ethnic Indians in the country.

MCPX

The Home Ministry’s ban on Hindraf last October has changed the mindset of the movement’s leaders, and they are now open to the idea of exploring other options to spearhead their cause.

Prior to the ban, they said activists were confined to Hindraf, making it easy for the authorities to nail them down.

"It forced us to explore other ways and means to continue our fight for justice, equality and freedom for all Malaysians," former Hindraf leader RS Thanenthiran (right) told Malaysiakini in Penang last night.

Although former Hindraf leaders had earlier considered joining component parties in Pakatan Rakyat, they have now concluded that having their own non-government organisations and political entities would be more effective.

"We can join Pakatan if we want to, on our own terms,"said Hindraf Perak co-ordinator A Vethamurthy

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has claimed that Hindraf advocated ‘extremism’ to justify his ministry’s ban on the human rights movement, which shot to prominency when it filed a suit against the British government, Malaysian former colonial masters, early last year.

In the suit, Hindraf accused the British government of failure to protect the rights, interests and benefits of Malaysian Indians when then Malaya was bestowed independence in 1957.

Most Indians were brought in to Malaya as indentured plantation labourers.

Following the mammoth Hindraf rally on Nov 25 last year, five Hindraf leaders were detained under the draconian Internal Security Act.

The five were P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasanthakumar. All were detained on Dec 13 for organising and participating in Hindraf activities.

'True' champions of the cause

Hindraf leaders also believe that the government ban on their movement has stopped several splinter groups, allegedly sponsored by Indian parties linked to the governing Barisan Nasional, from calling themselves the ‘true’ champions of the Indian cause.

London based Hindraf self-exiled leader P Waythamoorthy went as far as declaring that the "ban is a blessing in disguise".

Penang Hindraf deputy chairperson S Sanjay Ram said the ban had eliminated the confusion caused by these so-called bogus groups and made it clear to Malaysian Indians that only those who supported Waythamoorthy and his detained brother Uthayakumar were ‘genuine’ Hindraf activists.

Sanjay Ram is also optimistic that by splitting Hindraf into several inter-linked civil and political movements, the group can re-emerge as a more powerful movement and attract more support.

"A Hindraf based political party would break up support base of BN Indian parties," he said.

Since Hindraf activists revealed their intention to join Pakatan partners, it is learnt a delegation from the parliamentary opposition pact had held a private discussion with Waythamoorthy in London a few days ago.

Waythamoorthy has declined to provide details of the said meeting, but confirmed that Pakatan leaders have been in contact with him over the issue.

However, local Hindraf leaders are confident that Waythamoorthy would not make a political deal with Pakatan at the expense of Hindraf and Indian interests.

"He will not shirk his responsibility to the Indian community," said Thanenthiran of Waythamoorty, who is expected to make a announcement in a week’s time on Hindraf next move.