The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has urged the Indian community in Malaysia to light 18 'ghee' (oil) lamps in every household on Nov 25 to commemorate the first anniversary of the mass protest organised by the movement.

p waythamoorthy In a statement today, Hindraf's London-based chairperson P Waythamoorthy said the lamps will be symbolic of the movement's 18-point demand for fair treatment and equal opportunities which was submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last August.

hindraf british petition rally 251107 gandhi's sprayed "Nov 25 is a day no ethnic Indian in Malaysia would ever choose to forget for it reminds them of the struggle of this marginalised community against the state," he expressed.

Hindraf had gained much prominence last year for highlighting the issues of temple demolitions which in turn led to a turnout of some 30,000 people in Kuala Lumpur to highlight the plight of the Indian community.

A month later, five of the movement's top leaders were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

On Oct 15, the government banned Hindraf, which has been accused of posing a threat to public order.

ghee lamp In addition to lighting lamps, Waythamoorthy also called on all supporters to organise special prayers in temples.

"The purpose of this exercise is (to) lessen the evils... partaking in the current scenario in Malaysia and gain faith and confidence from the almighty to overcome these evils and move forward for the goodwill of the Malaysian people in fairness to all irrespective of their colour, race, religion or creed," he said.

"The burning of these lamps is similar to (the) candlelight (vigil) practice... and it is not sacrilegious to anyone as it seeks the omnipresent power of the almighty to strengthen and boost our faith and confidence for the spiritual and moral path that we have embarked... (as well as to) overcome turbulent times and to lessen the evils that are prevailing in the Malaysian society," he added.

Protest in India

fhroi hindraf protest at malaysia embassy in new delhi india 141108 02 In another development, a protest was held outside the Malaysian High Commission office in New Delhi, India, yesterday, which also saw the participation of the Federation of Human Rights of India (FHROI)

"We condemn the action of the Malaysian government and demand that the ban on Hindraf is lifted and the Hindu minority community should be accorded with legitimate human rights,” FHROI said in a statement.

FHROI also requested for the "unconditional release" of the five Hindraf leaders detained under ISA.

fhroi hindraf protest at malaysia embassy in new delhi india 141108 01 "More than 200 protestors representing various human rights and socio- religious organisations such as the Supreme Court Lawyers Association, Human Rights Defence (India), Progressive Teachers Front (Delhi University), Bharat Guarav Sansthan, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) gathered at Teen Murti Bhawan," said FHROI convener Rajesh Gogna in the statement.

According to Rajesh, the protestors also submitted a memorandum to BK Sharma, the deputy high commissioner of Malaysia.

"The deputy high commissioner assured... that they would convey the feelings of the protestors to the prime minister of Malaysia," he said.