'The BN government will not entertain this group. So the only way to get things done is to join Pakatan. In doing so, Hindraf gets more support...'

Hindraf members commemorate Nov 25 rally

Ivbala: Hindraf should look into political action in order to proceed with their demands. Remember, the BN government will not entertain this group. So the only way to get things done is to join Pakatan Rakyat.

In doing so, Hindraf gets more support and a wider backing for their policy demands. Many Tamil Malaysian are out there supporting Hindraf. But they need a proper channel for their pleas to be highlighted and their support to be organised in an effective manner.

Gk: My advice to Indian voters, and for that matter, Malaysian voters, is to go for multiracial politics. We cannot keep on fighting for one race's rights. That causes another race to fight for their own rights. Such fights will not stop there. This is what racist politics is all about. Let's go for multiracial politics.

Geronimo: When Hindraf first emerged onto the Malaysian political scene, I was one of their staunchest supporters. A year onwards, I think the Indians have stopped looking outwards for help as it will not come. Just like the Chinese, they have since conditioned themselves not to expect anything from anyone for no one owes them a living.

It is all up to the individual. You need to be fighting fit to survive. Start thinking ‘out of the box'. Start doing things for yourself instead of moaning and groaning over pittance.

Freemsia: Yes, the Indians need to be more like the Chinese. The Chinese take pride in themselves for working hard towards success. At the end of the day, what you want is to walk with your head held up high, knowing that you did it ‘My Way'.

Besides, Hindraf cannot hope for much assistance from the government. Trust me, ‘1Malaysia' is all a farce, unless you are bumiputera. The Indians had better start taking matters in their own hands to be successful and not wait for handouts. The government ain't helping.

Ranjit Singh: It is not handouts that Hindraf and the Indian community seek. You are mistaken. Hard work is not an option for us, it is a necessity. There is no question that Indians are hardworking. That was why they were carefully selected by the colonial power to man the rubber plantations since the 1800s. Their work starts at 5am and lasts until 4pm.

Hindraf seeks equality for Indians and for them to be treated with dignity. There's nothing wrong about that. Every civilised society would recognise this. Similarly, Martin Luther King fought for equality for African Americans and for them to be treated with dignity. He was demonised by the white supremacists, the media, and even those of his kind who were benefitting from the system.

It took many years for Americans to discover and realise the true meaning of civil rights. Perhaps Malaysia and its people are still immature when they ponder the true meaning of freedom and equality.

Ragavan Menon: If Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King were alive today, they would be proud of Hindraf. Society needs more genuine leaders (like those in Hindraf) who are bold and willing to sacrifice.

Daniel Collin Lazaroo: I do applaud the spirit of Hindraf. But an 18-hour hunger strike? I'm not sure if this, while a symbolic form of resistance and protest, will truly solve any of the problems that the Indian community face.

Rather than continuing down the racial equality/anti-discrimination path, I wonder why Hindraf doesn't fight for or champion labour policies or unionism? If it is equal rights for and at work that they seek (and this seems like the primary thing to me at least), then I think unionism could be their answer.

As it is now, a vast majority of the labour-intensive jobs in Malaysia (factory workers, plantation, cleaners) are done by individuals from this community. Playing the race card here is like fighting fire with fire.

I wonder if Hindraf (or anyone) will be willing to go over and above the status quo and standard political rhetoric to enact real changes that will allow for a more democratic and fairer Malaysia.

Alfred Adaikalaraj: It's been 24 hours since my last proper meal, and I haven't even thought about eating yet because I have been too busy with work. Shall I call this a hunger strike too?

I think these people should work harder than ever before, if they want to do any good for their community. Every hour put into protesting, marching and demanding for more rights can instead be turned into wealth for themselves and eventually their community.

There may be unfairness, but so what? There will be unfairness no matter what you do, where you go and wherever you work and live. One should understand this and work around the unfairness to better him/herself.

I am sure someone will say that I am a rich joker speaking with much arrogance, but the truth is I started out at the age of 19 as a waiter earning RM2.50 an hour, riding a bicycle eight miles to work everyday and working up to 16 hours a day. I made it through hard work and that's all there is to it.