I refer to the Malaysiakini report Deepavali bash: Man held over anti-ISA T-shirt .

One believes that this is the time the MIC should use its vast political influence to show the Malaysians of Indian ethnicity that it is there to question the government on issues concerning the treatment of ethnic Indians by the police and authorities at open houses organised by the federal government.

But instead, there has not been any comment made on what this Indian youth had to endure at the recent Deepavali open house organised by the federal government just because he chose to wear a T-shirt which had the words ‘No to ISA’ on it.

What he wore was just a statement of expression in print on a T-shirt. What threat is that to the VVIPs in attendance at the open house? It looks as though the ethnic Indians here have to stand up against open abuse like this which was common in the US during the civil rights movement in the 1960s which the African-Americans had stood up against.

Just because Hindraf choose to visit the VVIPs at their open houses in their uniformed T-shirts, this doesn't make every other Indians Malaysian Indian a threat to the VVIPs. The police, although they acted professionally, should have used their better judgment instead of detaining this person just because of his T-shirt.

They could have used their expertise and time to reduce serious crimes which are plaguing the nation in these dire times. It is really sad to note that they have all the energy to attend to a political issue - which now includes just the wearing of a simple T-shirt - but can give the best of excuses when it comes to their inability to curb rising crime.

The government might want to pull wool over the eyes of the Indians by promising RM50 million to upgrade Tamil schools in the country when at the same time it discriminates over the choice of a T-shirt.

Upgrading of schools is the responsibility of every elected government done as part of its social obligations towards the electorate. It is not something to be proudly given after the electorate has continuously begged for it.

Government funding would definitely be appreciated if it is well-dispersed and allocated and its objectives met with the social obligations that come with it. It should given without anticipating anything in return.

It is not only with the approval of funds for the upgrading of Tamil schools that the government can hope to see a return of the votes it once could safely count on.

There must be a move from the heart to see more deserving Indian students get into the top faculties of local universities and not be told there are no places for them.

The anger in the younger generation of ethnic Indians is very evident but the government still refuses to engage in a dialogue with their leaders to seek ways to improve the community’s lot which in turn will be for the betterment of the country and the economy as a whole.

Small business loans to start enterprises should be made more accessible to the vast majority of Indians who are in some form of trade or private enterprise and in dire need of such financial assistance to boost their businesses.

Instead of looking down upon them, the government should engage them and make them feel that the government cares for them instead of making them suffer in a political quagmire that only frustrates them further.

The Indians had voted with a different pattern the last time around and they have seen that their vote had made the desired difference. As such, it will be wise if the administration pays attention to the marginalisation and increasing polarisation of the races.

The Indians are slowly beginning to feel that their plight and issues can be better attended to if their grouses are heard by multi-racial political parties with leaders from other races taking the lead in helping them with their woes instead of the typical race-based, ‘divide and rule’ policy that failed to make a difference.

Let’s hope that ethnic Indians are not judged and discriminated by the clothes that they choose to wear but instead for their contributions to the country.

Leaders should not be afraid to engage people that choose to express their feelings by wearing T-shirts with slogans on them. These leaders will instead be commended if they exercise that courage.