March 30 date for Hindraf suit against British

The suit holds the UK Government responsible for the current marginalized socio-economic status of the Indian nation in Malaysia.

LONDON: The High Court will hear a suit against the British Government on March 30 for claims on behalf of indentured workers brought from India to work in Malaya during colonial times.

It is the second suit to be filed against the British government by the Hindraf civil rights movement, seeking redress for the socio-economic plight of the descendants of indentured Indian labour left behind after the collapse of the British Empire.

The first suit in 2007 lapsed, and Hindraf filed a second suit five years later.

Hindraf adviser N Ganesan, in a statement issued here, said the movement had “overwhelming” documentary evidence in taking on the British establishment and calling into question the doings of the Empire over 180 years.

Hindraf’s suit claims that the British government, through the Reid Constitutional Commission, had been negligent in its treatment of Malayan Indian and had failed to protect and preserve their rights and interests after independence.

Hindraf also called into question the Constitution drawn up by the Reid Commission, which it called a “compromised” Constitution falling below accepted international standards.

“We are committed to bringing about changes to the lives of the Indian poor and marginalized through these and other similar spirited efforts on the ground,” Ganesan said.

The suit claims that the Reid commission failed to act fairly when it agreed to amendments introduced by the working party, controlled by the Umno-led Alliance party, and failed to keep the original terms of the independent constitutional commission within its framework.

Hindraf said the British government had failed the Malayan Indian community by allowing an amended constitution that was drastically different than the one initially recommended by the Reid Commission.