Over 30,000 Indians took to the streets on Nov 25 to plead for their rights which have been systematically reduced over the last 50 years. It was a cry for help from a community that is either intentionally or unintentionally marginalised. The majority of those who took part in the demonstration were ordinary, peaceful citizens ignorant of the political power play at the helm of the government.

Some of the protesters were arrested, charged for attempted murder and denied bail. This is probably the first time civil protesters are being charged under such a law. There is no doubt that it was intended to intimidate other demonstrators. The attorney-general made a rare appearance to personally prosecute these protesters. More are waiting to be similarly charged.

It is absurd that the Hindraf leaders are being labeled terrorists. Grounds for their arrest under ISA is being prepared, which allows them to be detained without trial. A terrorist is defined as one who threatens violent action for political purposes. I fail to see how pleading for one’s legitimate rights constitute terrorism? Anyway, the issue here is not whether they are terrorists but the plight of the Indians. It would be unfair for the government to divert the attention from the real issue.

Instead of trying to understand their plight, the government has unfortunately chosen to confront them, mobilising all its resources to crush protesters and the powerless Indian community. Imagine, at one end we have the mighty Umno-led BN government and on the other end is a tiny, helpless, poverty-stricken Indian community.

A rally that was intended to be a peaceful one was brutally crushed by the police. It is disturbing to see the devious methods used by the government to crush a small minority Indian community which comprises about 8 percent of the population.

What chance does the poor Indian community have against the wrath of the Umno-led BN government? When the opposition in 1987, the judiciary in 1988 and even the popular Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 stood no chance against Umno and the BN, where does the Indian community stand against this bullying tactics of the government? Why should the government treat the Indians like this when they pose no threat to them?

They were asking for the rights due to them and not questioning the position or privileges of the Malays. At no time did the Indians let down the Alliance or the BN. In fact they have been working hand in hand with them all these years to bring the nation to where it is today.

The protest is a signal that all is not well with the Indian community. It should act as a wake-up call for the government and particularly the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). Instead of engaging Hindraf leaders in dialogue, MIC leader S Samy Vellu had found it more appropriate to suppress and punish them for highlighting the plight of the Indians. It may be understandable that Umno leaders are calling on the prime minister to invoke the ISA against Hindraf leaders.

However, it is difficult to digest how Samy Vellu, the sole representative of the Indian community in the cabinet and the BN government, joins calls for their arrest under the draconian law. Isn’t this a traitorous act of treason against his own people? He has a moral obligation towards his community to make the government realise that there is no justification in crushing a helpless minority who has been a steadfast ally all these years.

Indian Malaysians in general agree that they are being marginalised and are in a very deplorable state. Only Samy Vellu says that the Indians are being taken care of and are doing extremely well with no need to protest. For once, for the sake of his own people, he should put aside politics and search his conscience to come up with sincere answers to a few questions.

Haven’t the Indians lost most of out they had over the last 50 years? Are they really better off now? If the prevailing conditions continue, do they really have a bright future in their own country? If he is in doubt, the best way is for him is to conduct a referendum among the Indian community.