MPs want govt to 'prevent' abuse of ethnic Indians

Both Houses of Parliament saw noisy scenes over police action against last week's demonstration by Malaysian Tamils, with the BJP going to the extent of demanding that India lodge a formal complaint with the Commonwealth group of nations over what it said was a human rights violation.

"This is a human rights violation and the government should not sit back and do nothing when Indians are being abused in another country," said BJP parliamentary party spokesperson VK Malhotra.

Tamil MPs across party lines demanded protection for Malaysian Tamils. In the Lok Sabha, SK Kharaventhan of the Congress urged the government to take steps to "protect" Indians in Malaysia.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee asked members not to say anything that would affect India's friendly relations with Malaysia. Chatterjee ordered deletion of remarks by some members on police action against a demonstration of Malaysian Tamils, observing, "We are a very responsible democracy. We don't discuss any other country in such a manner."

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was present in the House but Chatterjee dismissed demands from members that he direct the minister to respond. At one point, the Speaker said Mukherjee was a "very responsible person" and his presence in the House was enough. As the uproar continued, the Speaker directed that the live telecast of the proceedings be stopped. Chatterjee adjourned the House for 30 minutes as the din continued.

Meanwhile, V Ganapathy Rao of the Hindu Rights Action Force was today arrested by the Malaysian police. On Wednesday, 88 ethnic Indians arrested during a rally on Sunday were charged with taking part in an illegal gathering. If convicted, they could be jailed for between six months and two years.

Indians, who comprise 8 per cent of Malaysia's 27 million people, say they suffer discrimination because of an affirmative action policy that favours Malay Muslims in jobs, education, business and government contracts.

Malays form about 60 per cent of the population and control the government. Ethnic Chinese are a quarter of the population and are generally much more wealthy than Indians, most of whom have low incomes and work in menial jobs.