When the 'candis' of the Bujang Valley in Kedah are to be given recognition by the Unesco for their archaeological, historical, cultural and civilisational value, we also have frequent Hindu temple demolishing in a country which proudly boasts itself as being the role model for countries with multi-racial and multi-religious populations.

The country and the Indian population are fed up with the BN government's constant reminders that we are the epitome of multiracialism but at the same time Hindu temples are demolished again and again. One wonders what is in the mind of the prime minister or his deputy when they proudly proclaim that we must be tolerant and sensitive towards the needs of our fellow Malaysians and then close their eyes to temple demolishing.

This constant bullying of Hindus in Malaysia is being heard throughout the world and it will not look good for Malaysia's report card for human, religious and civil rights. When we are constantly trying hard to bolster the economy by promoting the Iskandar Development Region in the south and the Northern Corridor Economic Region in the north, incidents like this will only go to show that we are superficial in our values and policies towards the minorities.

A signature from the chief minister, mayor and a member of parliament to stop the demolishment of the Sri Periyachi Amman Temple in Tambak Paya Village in Malacca did not deter the town council and the police from bulldozing the temple recently. Instead, bystanders who were trying to stop the demolishment were hauled up by the police for trying to stop the latter from carrying out their duties. Again, this is the treatment Indian Malaysian get for religiously voting in the BN since time immemorial.

Indian Malaysians are an easy lot to please and can be threatened into submission at every election. Up till today, very few Indians vote with their conscience. Indians are a very contented lot who believe that all will be taken cared off by the politicians. If they don't push their chosen politicians to question the government on this blatant abuse of power and the show of might by the authorities in demolishing Hindu temples, then they should be prepared for more temples to be destroyed.

BN Indian politicians will only be seen at award and prize-giving ceremonies or at politically- motivated functions. One can rest assures that they will never be seen in front of the bulldozers attempting to protecting a Hindu temple form impending demolishment.

Time and time again, the Indians are always the best and the easiest scapegoats for the majority to show them who is charge. The Indian voters, therefore, deserve the treatment that they get from the ruling coalition as it is their choice of government which they have devoutly voted for every five years without fail. One believes that the saying 'Indian votes are safely in the safe deposit box of the BN ruling coalition' is indeed very true.

The ruling coalition has forgotten that history would show that the Malayan Peninsular was once part and parcel of Hindu kingdoms and empires like Majapahit, Srivijaya and Raja Cholan. Demolishing Hindu temples will not be without its curses and those who partake in such exercises should also be aware that such curses will always hold true and the suffering be real.

Indians must realise that it is better to vote for a politician that is actually there with them on the ground to see what they endure rather than to continue to vote blindly for the ruling coalition. But if they insists that the ruling coalition is the best, then they should be prepared to part with more of their temples.