Rift in Hindraf widens

A faction in Hindraf calls co-founder Waythamoorthy a "traitor" for concealing the fact that he had registered the organisation two days prior to his hunger strike

KUALA LUMPUR: Calling Hindraf co-founder P Waythamoorthy a traitor, a faction of the group today claimed that he had concealed the fact that he had registered Hindraf as an organisation a month ago.

“This registration of an organisation called Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (Hindraf) was approved on March 8. This was two days before Waythamoorthy began his hunger strike.

“During the hunger strike he attacked the Opposition for the benefit of Barisan Nasional,” said S Jayathas, the former Hindraf leader and information chief.

“The authorities were adamant in not allowing us to register Hindraf as an organization for so long…but now since he is attacking the opposition, he is given the registration approval.”

Speaking at a press conference, Jayathas, who is now with PKR, said the approval to grant Hindraf an organisation status, would have to come from the higher ups, like the Home Ministry.

“Waythamoorthy’s meeting with the Prime Minister (Najib Tun Razak) just two weeks after the hunger strike proves that he is working with the Barisan Nasional,” he added.

He said grassroot leaders want Waythamoorthy and his Hindraf faction to explain why they had concealed the registration of Hindraf.

Uthayakumar surprisingly silent

Jayathas said Waythamoorthy should be working towards Hindraf’s goals instead of creating confusion in the minds of Indian voters.

Jayathas said Indians have been deprived of their rights for far too long and they are not going to change their minds just because the government accepts Hindraf’s blueprint on the eve of elections.

Hindraf was formed in 2006 to fight for the rights of Indians in the country. In 2007, Hindraf organised a massive rally in the federal capital participated by over 80,000 Indians.

Following the rally, the government began a crackdown on the group. Five of its leaders, M Manoharan, P Uthayakumar, K Vasanthakumar, Waythamoorthy and S Ganapathi Rao were detained under the now defunct Internal Security Act.

They were released more than a year later and went separate ways. Manoharan and Ganapathi Rao are now in DAP while Vasanthakumar has joined PKR.

Uthayakumar, meanwhile, kicked off the Human Right Party of Malaysia.

It must be noted that Uthayakumar and Waythamoorthy are brothers. Uthayakumar who is usually vocal on issues has been surprisingly silent on the matter.

Meanwhile, Hindraf’s national advisor N Ganesan when contacted dismissed allegations that Waythmoorthy had tried to conceal Hindraf’s registration.

“In fact I was the one who told Jayathas about this. Everything was done openly. The registration on itself is not significant.

“Lifting the ban on Hindraf was more significant. We did not hesitate to announce that to the whole country.

“We have offered our blueprint to both Pakatan Rakyat and the Barisan Nasional and what is more important is that we need to solve the problems of the Indian community,” said Ganesan.