Image : Makkal Sakti
The Hindu Rights Action Force will proceed with its rose campaign tomorrow despite a refusal of a police permit and threat of arrests, said campaign coordinator S Manickavasagam today.
“Hindraf supporters and the 200 children, led by (Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy’s daughter) will continue to gather in front of the Parliament gate tomorrow.
“This will be done even though the police have rejected our application for the permit to assemble,” he said when contacted.
The group’s self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy, presently based in London, also stated that tomorrow’s event will proceed despite the absence of a police permit when contacted for comments
The Star today reported Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Sofian Yassin of saying that no permit was approved for the gathering, hence making it unlawful.
Rejection of the application was on the grounds that the event will be of a disturbance to public peace, creating a possibility of violent clashes, causing traffic congestion and organised by an unregistered body.
Manickavisagam however felt that the reasons for the rejection were inept and said that he was very disappointed with the decision.
“There are no reasons for the rejection. We are not there to cause any trouble. We are there with children on a very peaceful cause - to appeal to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to heed to our 18-point demands,” he said.
PM: Why should I attend?
Roses will be the symbolic medium used to appeal for Abdullah to heed the demands. Two letters have been submitted to the prime minister’s office last month, inviting the premier to receive the roses.
Abdullah however have denied receiving any invitations and said that he will not attend any Hindraf event.
“What for? Why should I attend any Hindraf event?” he said when asked by a reporter at a press conference held after chairing Umno’s Supreme Council meeting on election preparations yesterday.
Commenting on this, Manickavsagam said that even though Abdullah cannot attend, he should send a representative to receive the roses.
In the meantime, Manickavasagam said that they are expecting that the police to obtain a restriction order to prevent them from gathering and also to give the police rights to arrest participants.
“We expect arrests tomorrow but we are prepared. As far as we are concerned, arresting us in front of the children will only tarnish their reputation nationally, and internationally,” he commented.
Apart from the 18-point demands, Hindraf is also seeking the release of its leaders and legal advisers who have been detained under the Internal Security Act since Dec 13 last year. Among them are Waythamoorthy’s brother, Uthayakumar.
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