On Saturday, I discovered a fundamental truth about the state of my beloved country. As I was driving past the temple in Sungai Sedu, Banting, I noticed a white banner with glaring red words announcing the closure of a Shah Alam temple on Nov 3. This particular Banting temple has never been closed to devotees at any point in time. This must have been a first for Hindus in that area and definitely an eye-opener for me.

The most frightening thing was to see police patrol cars and FRU trucks parked right in front of the gates barring the entrance to the sacred temple. The menacing presence of the police, so close to my home was a reality check for me. I realised that I do not feel safe even though I am a citizen of this country.

Apparently, Hindraf had organised a meeting to discuss the situation of Indian Malaysians in the temple hall at 6.30pm on that day. The show of force by the police was to deter the group from meeting with the residents of the area.

I have never felt the urgency to actually communicate what I feel about the issues affecting the Indian community in this country until today. My rights have been completely usurped by the very people who are supposed to protect it.

True, the Indians are a minority in this country and that we hardly make a great difference as voters. But this is not the way to repay a community that has toiled to make this country the prosperous nation that it is today. Do not reject us as weaklings, for it was our blood that has fertilised the soil of this nation.