S Samy Vellu said that Hindraf could have taken a better approach to air its grievances and should not have accused the MIC of failing the Indian community. In his defence, the MIC has done a great deal for the Indian community. He claims that the BN government is under the able leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who has his ears and eyes close to the people.

The MIC, like many other race-based parties, claim to represent the Indian community. According to Samy, there can only be one Indian-based party in BN. The MIC president surely has to answer allegations about the neglect of the Indian community in Malaysia. In fact, the community's share of the economic pie is less than 1.5 percent despite making up eight percent of the total population. Even then, most of their wealth is held in the hands of the few.

Tamil vernacular schools are some of the most neglected schools in the country. Many of these schools are not enjoying full subsidies from the government and are left to rot or survive on their own. Yet, a high number of parents continue to send their children to these schools. The lack of community support for these schools mean that they are not able to churn out as many good students as the Chinese vernacular schools.

Some Indian friends have told me that many Indian youths turn to gangsterism and other crimes because there is no safety net for those who have dropped out of the education system. As a result, Indians make up one of the largest groups in our prisons. Suicide rate amongst Indians are also higher compared to other communities.

It is difficult to imagine why Indians in this country cannot make it to the top, given that those in India can become world-renowned and respected for their creative abilities and IT proficiency. Today, India is slowly becoming one of the world's key economic powerhouses.

Surely something is not right in this country. The question is whether MIC should take the blame? On one hand, its president wants to absolve its party from any responsibility and on the other, it wants to monopolise representation of the Indian community. He should be made to understand that representation cannot come without responsibility.

What he should do is to accept these criticisms and work towards helping the community integrate with the larger society. He must be able to convince the ruling coalition to channel significant resources into educational and social restructuring programmes for the community. The token assistance of a few million ringgit will not help alleviate Indians from their current plight.

Is BN as open and accommodating to views and criticisms as Samy Vellu claims it is? MIC parliamentarian K Devamany told the parliament that the Hindraf rally reflected the Indian community's disgruntlement towards certain government policies. Instead of immediately asking him to prove his statement, the MIC leader is being reprimanded for breaking ranks with the coalition.

Nazri Aziz castigated Devamany for placing MIC in a difficult position and urged him to stand by the majority of Indians who did not take part in the rally. The minister's "rule by the majority" concept of democracy is worrying and seriously faulty. In a truly democratic country, the constitutional rights of each individual must be protected and respected regardless of what the majority decide. Even if most of the two million Indians did not take part in the demonstration, it does not mean that they are not disgruntled with certain government policies.

In fact, it is in the interest of BN to listen to their voices of discontent. After all, the community has provided solid support for the coalition in the last few general elections. Devamany's reaction is not likely to cause as much negative political impact to BN compared to Nazri's political arrogance and ignorance.