Hindraf is not about an individual's agenda - R Shan

I think P Uthayakumar needs to get something right. Hindraf is a mass movement of the grassroots poor, not about an individual's agenda or an agenda for the kiasu Malaysians.

Hindraf's notions and objectives from its inception may have been seen as an Indian agenda as the poverty stricken minority needed a voice for protection in Malaysia.

That was the situation then, but in all fairness, the Malaysian community did embrace them and understand their predicament.

Changes are not going to happen overnight but it is high time for Hindraf to evolve and work with the rest of the community in a multicultural society such as Malaysia, for the voiceless to have a voice.

Nobody is taking away the glory away from Uthayakumar and his comrades who had served time under the ISA for the cause of the public.

But when reality sets in, it takes guts and courage for Hindraf to take the baby steps ahead and work with the rest of the community as has been done like the Anything But Umno (ABU) initiative.

Nobody denies that Malaysian Indians face polices that has set the Malaysian Indians in the backwaters although they were in the forefront 30 years ago.

Nobody also denies that along with the Malaysian Indians, the rest of the Malaysian community had also been set back with policies that promote cronyism, corruption, and nepotism to stifle the growth of the nation.

All said and credit to Hindraf, we see today various attempts by the ruling government and the opposition to appease the Malaysian Indians and those deprived like them.

But this would only turn out to be short term benefits unless and until Malaysian Indians can work with the rest of Malaysians to ensure that we get the changes we want collectively.

Dear Uthayakumar, your criticism on the participation of Hindraf with ABU may be well founded for your own reasons.

But Hindraf is not only about you, it is about me. For many like me, Hindraf had provided the means to exercise humanity and consciousness for the community on a collective basis.

I am a supporter of Hindraf not because it is a Malaysian Indian movement, but because it is for a humane cause.

Further any humane cause like ABU have my ears and if Hindraf can work with them what is the problem?

Nothing personal, this is just another voice of the true Hindraf spirit for the betterment of all Malaysians.

(Source : Malaysiakini letters)