Sunday 5 August 2012

Waytha: I have different strategy for Hindraf



Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, who has returned from overseas exile, today said he would steer Hindraf in a non-partisan direction but denied that he was having a row with his elder brother P Uthayakumar, who helmed the movement during his absence.

“No, we don’t have a problem. You must understand that we have a different strategy and approach. He is independent in his thoughts and so am I, opinions differ in a large organisation,” he said when approached after attending a Hindraf gathering of some 1,500 supporters.

Asked to comment on Uthayakumar’s plan in leading the political offshoot of Hindraf, the Human Rights Party (HRP), to contest in the next general election, he replied: “That, you must ask Utahayakumar because he is the secretary-general and I do not belong to the party.”

“I’m sure he has his strategy and I’m sure he knows what he is doing and I wouldn’t interfere in it, but my strategy is definitely different,” he said.

Waythamoorthy added that his platform had always been a non-political party one, addressing the plight of the Indian poor,  and this would continue under his leadership.

The gathering today was the first of a series of Hindraf roadshows following Waythamoorthy’s return on Aug 1 from self-imposed exile in the UK.

‘Hindraf vindicated’

Meanwhile, commenting on his unhindered return to Malaysia, Waythamoorthy said that this was a vindication of the movement.

“The fact that I was granted my passport (to return to Malaysia) clearly vindicates Hindraf because previously we were termed as terrorists out to overthrow the government, which was ridiculous.

“Now is time to lift the ban on Hindraf, allow us to operate as an NGO and human rights movement, and we will talk to address the issues.

He added that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s attempts now to court the Indian community proved that the issues raised by Hindraf were justified.

“Previously the government had been saying that no, your demands are extreme, but the fact that Najib is going around dishing out goodies here and there (to Indians) shows that he acknowledges the problem,” he said.

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