DAP leader P Ramasamy has rejected an invitation to attend the Pravasi Bharathiya Divas convention, to be held in New Delhi, India, later this month.

In a press statement, he cited India’s “collusion with Sri Lanka” in the separatist war which cost the lives of thousands of Tamils in the latter country.

prabhakaran tamil tigers leader shot dead in sri lanka conflict 190509 03 In his letter to the organisers, a copy of which was attached to his press release, Ramasamy said he is “unable to accept the invitation because of the government of India’s questionable role in the affairs of the Tamils in Sri Lanka”.

Specifically, he referred to India’s “overt and covert role” in aiding the government of Sri Lanka in the elimination of some leaders of the Tamil Tigers.

Ramasamy also said his refusal is in protest of the “hundreds and thousand of innocent Tamils (being detained) in camps” which has “angered the Tamil community in Malaysia”.

As his attendance may be construed as endorsing the actions of the Indian government, he has decided not to participate in the convention, “until such a time India shows some genuine concern for the Tamils in Sri Lanka”.

p ramasamy and dap Ramasamy (right) , who is Penang deputy chief minister II, was to have been a panelist at the annual convention.

Other panellists include prominent Malaysians of Indian descent such as  MIC deputy president G Palanivel and Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam.

MIC president S Samy Vellu will be the guest of honour at a plenary session.

‘Malaysia, Truly Rascist’

Human Rights Party pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar left yesterday for India to attend the convention.

He will present the annual ‘Malaysian Indian Minority Human Rights Report 2009'.  Entitled ‘Malaysia, Truly Racist’, it will highlight human rights abuses allegedly suffered by the community.

hindraf celebrate birthday in parliament 210508 s jayathas When contacted, Hindraf activist S Jayathas (left) confirmed this but declined to reveal the contents of the report, saying only that it will be released in full after it is presented at the convention.

The Pravasi Bharathiya Divas convention is the annual flagship event for India’s Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

It is keyed towards bringing together Indians who are spread throughout the globe.

The upcoming meet will feature an oration series and seminars on Nanotechnology and the property-related issues of the Indian diaspora.

MIC veep: Voice your concerns at the meet

Meanwhile, MIC vice-president M Saravanan, disagreed with Ramasamy and urged leaders to use the international platform to voice their views.

saravanan kl draft plan 220808 02 "We talk about everything that concerns the diaspora... by boycotting the gathering we are not going to achieve anything. At least you participate and highlight your views and you tell them what the government should do," said Saravanan.

MIC is sending some 130 delegates to the gathering which is being held in New Delhi from Jan 7 to 9.

"MIC is part of the government and the Malaysian government enjoys a good working relationship and bilateral ties with India," added the deputy federal territories minister.

"We do sympathise with what happened to the Tamils in Sri Lanka but I assert that we don't support any terrorist activities and we feel that Sri Lanka government should protect their right (the affected civilians) as the people of Sri Lanka," he said.

[With additional reporting by S Pathmawathy]