The police have come under criticism for the excessive use of crowd dispersal measures, such as the firing of tear gas and water cannons, during yesterday's rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The rally, which drew about 30,000 people, was to support a US$4-trillion class-action suit against the British government for bringing the Indians here as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years.

Below are the comments from various groups:

Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary opposition leader

The excessive use of police force with the firing of tear gas and water cannons against the Hindraf gathering in Kuala Lumpur is most high-handed, ham-fisted, undemocratic and a grave disservice not only to the Malaysian Indian community but to Malaysia's international reputation in wanting to be a first-world developed nation.

If Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had 'walked the talk' of creating a Malaysia with 'first world infrastructure, first world mentality', the disgraceful display of excessive police force would not have happened.

Peaceful demonstrations and marches are common and accepted occurrences in first world developed nations which Malaysia aspires to become.

As has been rightly pointed out recently, in Britain, Australia and other modern countries, when people wish to demonstrate, the police typically clear the way and make sure no one gets hurt. The street belong to the people. And the police, like the politicians, are their servants.

Lim Guan Eng, DAP secretary-general

The police have proven again that they have betrayed the pubic they have sworn to serve and protect.

By beating and assaulting those who pay their salaries, the police have shown they are more interested in maintaining the status quo of Barisan Nasional leaders and have lost public confidence in their ability to man law and order for the benefit of society.

To date, the government cannot prove that any Malaysian has been threatened or harmed by such gatherings.

S Arutchelvan, PSM pro-tem secretary-general

When thousands of people take to the street, definitely something is wrong. The controlled media is trying to paint a picture that the people were misled but once again, one cannot deny that the show of force by the people is a real indication that something is really wrong.

The problem of racism and ethnicity can only be resolved when ethnic-based structures are destroyed. This task cannot be carried by any ethnic-based or religious-based movements.

The working class and the common people of Malaysia from all walks of life have to unite and build a multi-racial movement to fight racism and bring back the spirit of 1947 to build a class-based people's movement.

Hindu American Foundation, Washington-based NGO

It is once again evident that Malaysian authorities do not care for minority rights. It is also a sad commentary that the nations of the world are ignoring this serious breach of human rights and minority rights.

Dr Lim Teck Ghee and Wong Chin Huat, spokespersons for the Centre for Policy (CPI) Initiatives and Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami)

CPI and Wami condemn the arrest of Hindraf leaders under the Sedition Act and the police prohibition of the Hindraf rally on Sunday. Both actions are a clear violation of key civil liberties and basic freedoms guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

We are strongly of the opinion that Hindraf's objectives aimed at highlighting the socio-economic and political marginalisation of a large segment of the Malaysian Indian community deserve the serious attention of all Malaysians.

The Hindraf cause reflects key flaws in our political-economic and social system and its unresponsiveness and insensitivity towards a community that has been historically exploited and marginalised.

Kohila Yanasekaran, grassroots movement Jerit coordinator

Although Jerit does not agree with the race-based struggle and politics of Hindraf, Jerit however is of the strong opinion that every individual and organisation is entitle to the freedom to assemble peacefully and this right should be respected. The people should be given a forum to air their unhappiness.

As a way forward, Jerit also would like to stress that the working class should unite regardless of race and religion. The struggle for our fundamental liberties should be carried out regardless of race so all of the oppressed people will enjoy their rights.

Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), polls reforms group

When citizens want to peacefully assemble, the police's responsibility is to ensure order and security, and not to stop the assembly. The roadblocks set up to stop both the Bersih rally three weeks ago and the Hindraf assembly which caused massive traffic jams, inconvenience and economic losses are completely unnecessary and unjustifiable.

The government should instead do some soul-searching to look into the causes of such intense discontent amongst marginalised Malaysian Indians. Suppressing or demonising such discontents will only harm rather than help the nation-building process.

Bersih believes the marginalisation of communities, like the Indian working class, is largely the result of a flawed electoral process which has resulted in unresponsive and irresponsible governments at the federal, state and local levels.