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HINDRAF Makkalsakthi (Peoples Power) Movement in Malaysia

Introduction
Indian spring on Nov 2007 on the eve of golden jubilee year Malaysia- political hegemony of UMNO party, ethnic alliance called BN Indian ethnic minority victim of discrimination, marginalization and institutionalized racism by UMNO Rise up against violation of their socio economic, political and cultural rights Indian Diaspora- legacy of British colonialism, 3rd major ethnic community, smaller than Chinese and Malays, 7.7% of 28 million population, fragmented on the basis of class, language, regionTamil(Majority), Telugu, Malayalis, Sikhs, Gujratis; Indians sandwiched between economically strong Chinese and politically strong Malays; 3rd class citizens, Indian plantation workers excluded from development plans In federal constitution of Malaysia, Malays are considered first among equals, positive affirmative action policy in favor of Malays, Malay economic nationalism (NEP,NDP,NVP) reduced economic equity and upward mobility of Malaysian Chinese & Indians; Malay Centric policy affected Crisis Displacement: plantation sold for property development, crop diversification, sub divisions; workers jobless demanding compensation, resisting forced eviction, moving urban areas, joining urban poors, slums, forgotten people Not just in economic sphere, other spheres also including, education no scholarship to deserving candidates, preferential treatment to Malay, social ills like alcoholism, drug addiction, child abuse, gangsterism, violence, wife beating , single motherhood, suicide, divorce, disappearance etc Statelessness: many not registered for citizenship and took it for granted due to ignorance Cultural heritage under attack, forced conversion, extension of Shariat law over civil matters

HINDRAF
Founded in Dec 2005 Pretext: absence of legal rights for non-Malays in case of Hindu converts, seek justice through civil court of law, demolishment of Hindu temples Later on agenda expanded (economic and other spheres) Method: earlier 3P method(prayer, petition, persuasion), later on decided to file case against British Govt. at London High Court for its failure to protect minorities rights when drafted constitution, demanded compensation of 1million pound sterling for each Indian and British

citizenship, signature campaigns were organized to argue case through open human rights public forum, this was considered seditious and racial by govt. and arrest was followed

Later on HINDRAF was banned, and detention became splintered group, differences, mistrust and infighting started, many joined different political parties

Recent Developments
Wayamoorthy, founder of HINDRAF came back after spending 4 and half years in London, meanwhile UMNO lost its 2/3 rd majority and looked towards Indian communities for regaining its position (2012) Alliance with Wayamoorthy, UMNO came back to power with Najeeb Razak as PM, and Wayamoorthy new Deputy Minister Now HINDRAF should make itself more broad based in multi racial, cultural society of Malaysia in defense of social justice, equality, and inalienable human rights

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