I was restraining myself from writing about the recent Hindraf march as I am sure many would be echoing the same sentiments. But I can’t stop laughing (or writing) on reading news that 31 Hindraf supporters are being charged for attempting to murder a policeman. The biggest joke of all is that the attorney-general himself is leading the prosecution team aided by his top prosecutors.

My simple question to the attorney-general and his team is this: Do they really believe that they have a case to prosecute 31 people on attempted murder charges of a single policeman in a cordoned off public place with an army of police and federal reserve unit present? Where were the other policemen and FRU personnel? Did they just watch and allow 31 people to kill or hurt their fellow comrade?

I truly believe that the protest was mainly peaceful. Such incidents could have been avoided if the police practiced restraint and professionalism in handling such crowds. I agree with the defence lawyer GK Ganesan when he said that this is the first time in history such a charge has been brought against participants of a peaceful assembly. Well Mr Ganesan, this is “Bolehland” where everything is possible and nothing is impossible.

I cannot agree more with the questions raised by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang as to “Why the attorney-general thought it was important to appear for an attempted murder charge when he never thought it was important to personally handle the high-profile murder trial of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shariibuu although it has more far reaching national and international implications?" Probably the attorney-general is either so free or is out to seek brownie points with his bosses.

To a layman like me, this is an utter waste of public resources by the Attorney General’s Chambers. The question I would like to pose to him is: Why were none charged when the Umno Youth, lead by none other that the prime minister’s son-in law, had demonstrated during the US secretary of state’s visit? Why were there no prosecutions for those in the recent Bersih rally?

This reiterates the point that the attorney-general and the government are selective in prosecuting. It also proves Hindraf’s stand that Indians are marginalised, underclass citizens who can be treated and abused according to the government’s whim and fancy. This selective treatment must stop if the government is serious about tackling this issue. The root of the problem lies with the government, not Hindraf.