Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has come under fire for saying that it is compulsory for all women police personnel to wear the tudung (headscarf) at parades.

Expressing shock over this, the Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf) said the premier's statement reeked with arrogance.

"There is an ever prevailing mood on the part of the government to Islamisise every institution and machinery of the government," said its chairperson P Waytha Moorthy in a statement today.

"This act is not consistent with the theory of multiracialism strongly advocated by the government. It is also intendment with the spirit of independence," he added.

On Saturday, Abdullah said it was optional for women police personnel to wear the tudung while performing their daily duties but the headscarf was compulsory for those taking part in parades

"Members of uniformed services, including the police, must abide by the regulations on the wearing of their uniforms," said the premier, who added that the issue should not have arisen.

Several members of Parliament debated the issue in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday after the disclosure of a circular by Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar requiring all women police personnel to wear the tudung during official functions.

No longer moderate

Meanwhile, Waytha Moorthy said the premier's sanctioning of the policy was a 'betrayal' of the spirit of harmony and co-existence envisaged by the Federal Constitution.

"In the name of democracy, the government is carefully engineering plans, policies and regulations to capture others into submission.

"The 'moderate prime minister' is now imposing Islamic cultures and values on non- Muslim women police personnel in the name of uniformity," he added.

He said Abdullah originally upon clinching power displayed moderateness in government administration but this was 'short-lived'.

Waytha Moorthy also asked why non- Muslim leaders were not consulted in such a 'serious compulsion act' which violated the fundamental rights of non Muslims?

He said Hindraf wanted the government to be more prudent in the implementation of rules and policies.

"We urge the prime minister to immediately instruct his IGP to withdraw such a repressive directive and apologise to non Muslim women personnel for infringing their rights.

"If this is ignored, it would further discourage non- Muslims from joining the civil service which is already a subject very much debated," he added.

Hindraf represents some 50 Hindu organisations in the country.

Last week, the Bar Council and Gerakan Youth also criticised the IGP over his tudung directive.