Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email KLANG: A large crowd gathered at a Hindu temple here to pray for peace, unity and for those detained following the Nov 25 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally.
The special two-hour prayer also gave devotees a chance to voice their grievances via prayers.
The prayers were organised by a coalition of 30 non-governmental organisations and the Indian community here.
Six pigeons were also released yesterday as part of the prayers – five were for the five Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees and one for the 25 Hindraf supporters charged for participating in an illegal assembly. Similar prayer sessions were also being held in various temples nationwide.
The coalition called for the unconditional release of the five detainees – M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, K. Vasantha Kumar, P. Uthayakumar and R. Kengadharan – and said they should be given a fair trial.
Coalition spokesman L. Segaran said they would be sending a statement to the Prime Minister on their prayers and the release of the five.
Guest speaker K. Arumugam expressed hope that the Government would look into the community's plight.
Meanwhile, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in Chennai, India, he would meet Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to explain the real situation concerning the Indian community in Malaysia.
He is leading a 70-member delegation to the Pravasi Barathiya Divas conference in New Delhi starting on Jan 7.
Samy Vellu said he would undertake a similar effort with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S. Karunanidhi. – Bernama
