More than goodwill needed to win the Indians

Pesta  Unity Pongal (Otrumai Pongal)

It was amusing to know about the national level Unity Pongal is being organised on 2 February at Dataran Merdeka.It will be officiated by none other than our Prime Minister,Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself.

Of late the Prime Minister  has taken great pains to show his goodwill and concern for the plight of Indians in the country. A had spend and continuing to spend huge amounts of money and his time to woo them back into the Barisan Nasional fold.Their support at the coming 13GE is paramount to BN’s victory at the most crucial polls ever.

Najib may be made to believe that his goodwill alone may be enough to win over the Indians who are plagued with surmountable problems that they cannot overcome without the assistance of the government. 

Despite these goodwill gestures by the PM atrocities against the Indians continue unabated. Cruelty and death in police custody continue without any action against the culprits. Demolitions of temples continue indiscriminately. Many Indians from the lower socio-economic group who born and bred here are denied citizenship and remain stateless thereby forcing them into criminal activities and other vices. The Indian children are discriminated in schools, denied education and the youths unable to get decent jobs in public and even private institutions.

Under such circumstances goodwill of one man alone, Najib alone is not going to help the Indians out of their pitiful state. Participating in grand celebrations of the various festivals, cash handouts and donations to Indian-run institutions are not going bring long-term support from the Indians for the BN.

Much more sincere actions are needed government to overcome the woes of the Indians.

Firstly it must respect them as legitimate citizens. Secondly treat them with dignity, as they are here to stay. Thirdly grant them their rights without undue harassment - education, jobs and due recognition for their talents, contributions and sacrifices which are numerous. 

Goodwill of the PM alone is not going to succeed but that goodwill of the top man must disseminate into the lower levels of his party and the government institutions under his control and be transformed into sincere actions to improve the well being of the Indians.

The majority of Indians today are mature and wise enough to evaluate the promises of both BN and PR.The former with 55 years in power has failed to truly uplift the socio-economic status of the Indians to the expected level and many are doubtful whether giving another 5 years going to make any difference. On the other hand PR may be untested but had made many promises that are heart-warming. Whether it will and can fulfill these promises cannot be known unless given a chance to do so.