12-30-2007, 02:56 AM
<b>A wake-up call to Hindus</b>
Oppression in Malaysia
By Prakash Singh, IPS (Retd)
In Malaysia, persons of Indian originâHindus, to be preciseâhave been
economically marginalised. They are mostly at the bottom of the
ladder. Article 153 of the Malaysian Constitution provides special
privileges for Malayans only. Politically, they hardly count. They
wanted to organise a rally to ventilate their grievances, but were
denied permission by the police.
More than two years back, in an article entitled `Is Hinduism in
Retreat?', I had defined a Hindu as "basically non-aggressive, not
deeply concerned about his places of worship being defiled or even
demolished, is not particularly offended by others making fun of his
gods and goddesses, does not object to other religions' preachers
converting his flock, and is not greatly exercised over the abduction
and molestation of his women and daughters".
As the years roll by, I am increasingly convinced about the
correctness of the definition. If at all any change has to be made,
probably the words "non-aggressive" should be replaced by "coward". It
is indeed mortifying that the average Hindu has today lost all pride
in his religion and is apologetic about his identity. His religiosity
is limited to paying obeisance in the temple and observing meaningless
rituals. The objective is essentially to seek forgiveness for the sins
committed and blessings for the unfulfilled materialistic desires.
In Malaysia, persons of Indian origin - Hindus, to be precise - have
been economically marginalised. They are mostly at the bottom of the
ladder. Article 153 of the Malaysian Constitution provides special
privileges for Malayans only. Politically, they hardly count. They
wanted to organise a rally to ventilate their grievances, but were
denied permission by the police. On November 25, 2007, when nearly
20,000 people gathered near the Petronas Twin Towers, carrying
portraits of Mahatma Gandhi to highlight the non-violent nature of
their protest, the police cracked down on them using tear gas and
water cannons. Leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) were
arrested. Five of them have been detained under the Internal Security
Act, which allows detention without trial.
In religious matters, the Indians are subjected to discrimination of
the worst kind, thanks to Malaysia gradually leaning towards
Wahabi-style of Islam. Temples are demolished now and then. What is
worse, in many cases, the devotees were not even allowed to retrieve
the images of the deities which were also smashed. It is estimated
that more than 150 temples have been razed to the ground so far. The
destruction of a non-descript shrine in Ayodhya led to tremors all
over the country and even outside but the destruction of more than 150
temples in Malaysia has created hardly a ripple in the country.
The government, after showing some concern in the initial stages,
washed its hands off after the Malaysian government took the stand
that it was their internal matter. Suppressing an ethnic minority's
religious freedom cannot be justified under any circumstances. Human
rights have universal application. The Malaysian government's charge
that the persons of Indian origin have their links with LTTE is
preposterous on the face of it. P Uthayakumar, founder member of the
Hindraf, has stoutly denied the same. "We have got zero links with
terrorism. We have got zero links with LTTE. We do not support
violence. We are a non-violent group", he said.
There is no point in expecting much from the government which is
always obsessed by political considerations. National interests or
national pride do not mean much to them. But what has been the
response from other significant groups? The BJP's reaction has been
muted. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has kept quiet. Organisations like
Bajrang Dal, which are prompt to take up frivolous matters, have not
cared to raise their little finger. The Shankaracharyas appear to be
in a trance. Religious leaders, who take pride in flaunting their
international linkages, have not spoken a word.
The middle class of India, which is basking in the sunshine of
economic growth will continue visiting Malaysia for a holiday bash.
And the media will have no compunctions in publishing advertisements
promoting tourism to Malaysia. The Human Rights groups in the country,
which could have raised the issue at international fora, have
preferred to turn the blind eye to the developments in the neighbourhood.
Ironically, there have been voices of protests in UK and in USA. In
UK, nineteen Members of Parliament, cutting across party lines, have
urged upon the British government to take up the matter with the
Malaysian government in the strongest possible manner. "This House
notes with great concern the stated intention of the Government of
Malaysia to demolish 79 Hindu temples", the motion moved by them said.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged
President Bush to take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur and "insist
that immediate measures be taken to protect sacred sites and prevent
further destruction" .
What do you expect under these circumstances? Indians, particularly
their majority community, can just be kicked around in any part of the
world. The great actors of this `Mera Bharat Mahan' are busy enjoying
the good things of life. They have no time to think about pride or
self-respect.
Oppression in Malaysia
By Prakash Singh, IPS (Retd)
In Malaysia, persons of Indian originâHindus, to be preciseâhave been
economically marginalised. They are mostly at the bottom of the
ladder. Article 153 of the Malaysian Constitution provides special
privileges for Malayans only. Politically, they hardly count. They
wanted to organise a rally to ventilate their grievances, but were
denied permission by the police.
More than two years back, in an article entitled `Is Hinduism in
Retreat?', I had defined a Hindu as "basically non-aggressive, not
deeply concerned about his places of worship being defiled or even
demolished, is not particularly offended by others making fun of his
gods and goddesses, does not object to other religions' preachers
converting his flock, and is not greatly exercised over the abduction
and molestation of his women and daughters".
As the years roll by, I am increasingly convinced about the
correctness of the definition. If at all any change has to be made,
probably the words "non-aggressive" should be replaced by "coward". It
is indeed mortifying that the average Hindu has today lost all pride
in his religion and is apologetic about his identity. His religiosity
is limited to paying obeisance in the temple and observing meaningless
rituals. The objective is essentially to seek forgiveness for the sins
committed and blessings for the unfulfilled materialistic desires.
In Malaysia, persons of Indian origin - Hindus, to be precise - have
been economically marginalised. They are mostly at the bottom of the
ladder. Article 153 of the Malaysian Constitution provides special
privileges for Malayans only. Politically, they hardly count. They
wanted to organise a rally to ventilate their grievances, but were
denied permission by the police. On November 25, 2007, when nearly
20,000 people gathered near the Petronas Twin Towers, carrying
portraits of Mahatma Gandhi to highlight the non-violent nature of
their protest, the police cracked down on them using tear gas and
water cannons. Leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) were
arrested. Five of them have been detained under the Internal Security
Act, which allows detention without trial.
In religious matters, the Indians are subjected to discrimination of
the worst kind, thanks to Malaysia gradually leaning towards
Wahabi-style of Islam. Temples are demolished now and then. What is
worse, in many cases, the devotees were not even allowed to retrieve
the images of the deities which were also smashed. It is estimated
that more than 150 temples have been razed to the ground so far. The
destruction of a non-descript shrine in Ayodhya led to tremors all
over the country and even outside but the destruction of more than 150
temples in Malaysia has created hardly a ripple in the country.
The government, after showing some concern in the initial stages,
washed its hands off after the Malaysian government took the stand
that it was their internal matter. Suppressing an ethnic minority's
religious freedom cannot be justified under any circumstances. Human
rights have universal application. The Malaysian government's charge
that the persons of Indian origin have their links with LTTE is
preposterous on the face of it. P Uthayakumar, founder member of the
Hindraf, has stoutly denied the same. "We have got zero links with
terrorism. We have got zero links with LTTE. We do not support
violence. We are a non-violent group", he said.
There is no point in expecting much from the government which is
always obsessed by political considerations. National interests or
national pride do not mean much to them. But what has been the
response from other significant groups? The BJP's reaction has been
muted. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has kept quiet. Organisations like
Bajrang Dal, which are prompt to take up frivolous matters, have not
cared to raise their little finger. The Shankaracharyas appear to be
in a trance. Religious leaders, who take pride in flaunting their
international linkages, have not spoken a word.
The middle class of India, which is basking in the sunshine of
economic growth will continue visiting Malaysia for a holiday bash.
And the media will have no compunctions in publishing advertisements
promoting tourism to Malaysia. The Human Rights groups in the country,
which could have raised the issue at international fora, have
preferred to turn the blind eye to the developments in the neighbourhood.
Ironically, there have been voices of protests in UK and in USA. In
UK, nineteen Members of Parliament, cutting across party lines, have
urged upon the British government to take up the matter with the
Malaysian government in the strongest possible manner. "This House
notes with great concern the stated intention of the Government of
Malaysia to demolish 79 Hindu temples", the motion moved by them said.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged
President Bush to take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur and "insist
that immediate measures be taken to protect sacred sites and prevent
further destruction" .
What do you expect under these circumstances? Indians, particularly
their majority community, can just be kicked around in any part of the
world. The great actors of this `Mera Bharat Mahan' are busy enjoying
the good things of life. They have no time to think about pride or
self-respect.