It is time that the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) changes its name to the Indian Rights Action Force (Indraf) to reflect the whole spectrum of Indian Malaysians rather than segregating along religious lines, which is totally unacceptable in our modern society. By renaming it Indraf, Malay Malaysians, Chinese Malaysians and other Indian Malaysians would come out and give their unwavering support to the Indraf cause.

The recent Nov 25 petition rally united one segment of Indians only, not all walks of Indian Malaysians. It is not Hindu versus other religions but marginalised, decimated Indian Malaysians from middle and lower rungs of the economically-deprived group demonstrating for their rights. Indian Malaysians are not begging from the government or robbing from other Malaysians. They are asking for what was agreed upon prior to independence as stated in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

On Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum's claim that Hindraf manipulated the innocent, he is either nave or stupid, forgetting that he was the ring leader in manipulating the Kubang Pasu division election by preventing Dr Mahathir Mohamad from being elected as a delegate to the Umno general assembly.

As for the MIC, S Samy Vellu met his Waterloo when the Selangor government officials, especially the mayor, refused to heed his pleas to delay the destruction of the Shah Alam Hindu temple. We have heard Samy Vellu speak in the Al Jazeera interview and subsequent statements that have made Samy Vellu irrelevant to the silent majority of Indian Malaysians. After over 25

years in politics, he has become a liability to BN. He has overstayed his welcome as the MIC chief.

Please bear in mind that 60 percent of the Malaysian population, irrespective of the race, are below the age of 25 years. It is not as easy to satisfy them using slogans and speeches. To be effective, future MIC leaders must limit the presidency, deputy presidency, Youth and Wanita chiefs and their deputies to three terms only. This enables more dynamic, energetic and service-oriented leaders who would take community problems to heart and try to solve them.

Indraf must remain relevant, non-political and reinvent their objectives and missions in uplifting the Indian community by keeping the momentum going. The silent majority who has suffered and been intimidated has given Indraf support. Now it is left to be seen how Indraf handles the community's trust, confidence and support. It is not about the trillion-ringgit suit nor the money as everyone knows it was merely to highlight the Indian community's woes to the international community.