Hindraf chief's bombshell: ISA detainee a SB agent
Mkini-Athi Veeranggan Aug 29, 08 4:36pm
Detained Hindraf leader T Vasanthakumar is allegedly a government agent planted by the police Special Branch to infiltrate and disintegrate the Hindu rights movement.
In a shocking disclosure, Hindraf self-exiled leader P Waythamoorthy also accused the organisation’s former spiritual advisor M Ramachandran, also known as Ramaji, and ex-secretary VK Regu of collaborating with Vasanthakumar.“Their mission is to split Hindraf, then pick up the pieces, re-brand and re-launch it under their leadership, which would be subservient to the establishment,” said Waythamoorthy in a statement to Malaysiakini.The London-based Hindraf leader, who left the country a few days before the government’s crackdown on the movement last Dec 13, was convinced about the hidden truth behind the trio after probing on information received from top government officials.“Vasanthakumar is the main man behind the government plot, with Ramaji and Regu as assistants. They have betrayed Hindraf.“Undoubtedly the trio are collaborating with police intelligence, government officers and certain political leaders to break up Hindraf and dilute its struggle,” he alleged.
In an immediate response, Regu demanded the self-exiled leader to produce evidence to substantiate his claims."I am not a traitor," he told Malaysiakini.Vasanthakumar (photo, right), when brought from the Kamunting Detention Camp to Taiping Hospital for his monthly check-ups on Wednesday, denied links with the police intelligence unit.The Hindraf chairperson apparently came to know about Vasanthakumar in January and the others later, but opted to keep it a secret to prevent a split and loss of confidence among the movement’s leaders and supporters.However, following the Hindu prayers organised by a group led by Regu and the saffron-clad Ramaji in a Chinese temple in Seberang Jaya, Penang, during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election, which saw nine local Hindraf activists being detained, Waythamoorthy decided to come out in the open.
Waythamoorthy insisted that he has evidence to prove that Ramaji and Regu have had various secret meetings with officials from the Prime Minister’s Department and top MIC leaders over the last five months.Regu has claimed that he was the Hindraf founder secretary and this was stated in the application submitted on Oct 23 to the Registrar of Companies when Hindraf was registered as a enterprise.He also claimed to have accompanied Waythamoorthy to submit the 18-point memorandum on Hindu rights and interests to the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya last year.
Waythamoorthy confirmed both the claims, but said Regu was removed from the group immediately after the application was submitted for "acting against its interests."
Asked whether Regu’s expulsion was recorded in the minutes of any Hindraf meetings, Waythamoorthy’s reply was in the negative, saying: "As an informal organisation solely managed by him, meetings were never held."
Asked whether Regu’s expulsion was recorded in the minutes of any Hindraf meetings, Waythamoorthy’s reply was in the negative, saying: "As an informal organisation solely managed by him, meetings were never held."
Remain united
Hindraf started off briefly as an umbrella grouping for 38 Indian-based organisation, but it broke up when others disassociated themselves from Waythamoorthy after he took a bold move to submit a memorandum to the King early last year demanding a halt to the demolition of Hindu temples in the country."I was practically doing everything on my own," said the leader, whose disclosure is sure to send shockwaves among the Indian rights group’s activists across the country, who have been campaigning for the release of the five Hindraf leaders detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act 1960.
Hindraf started off briefly as an umbrella grouping for 38 Indian-based organisation, but it broke up when others disassociated themselves from Waythamoorthy after he took a bold move to submit a memorandum to the King early last year demanding a halt to the demolition of Hindu temples in the country."I was practically doing everything on my own," said the leader, whose disclosure is sure to send shockwaves among the Indian rights group’s activists across the country, who have been campaigning for the release of the five Hindraf leaders detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act 1960.
Vasanthakumar, who volunteered to join Hindraf last September, was detained alongside Hindraf legal advisor and Waythamoorthy’s brother Uthayakumar, and lawyers M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau.They were picked up in a swoop during the police crackdown on Hindraf leaders and activists in the aftermath of the human rights group mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25.
Regu and Ramaji were the main organisers of the by-election prayers, which was protested by Hindraf activists from Penang and neighbouring Perak and Kedah.The prayers upset Hindraf loyalists because firstly, the Hindu rite was conducted in a Chinese temple allegedly booked by a local Barisan Nasional leader; the visit by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi; and police protection for the organisers, something that would never happen for Hindraf activities.
Waythamoorthy also said that he would not be surprised if the government approves the registration of Hindraf under Vasanthakumar, Regu and Ramaji’s leadership with the inclusion of certain BN proxies.“Hindraf leaders and supporters should remain united and fight against the infiltration by these traitors,” he said.
Currently Penang-based R Thanenthiran heads a 10-member interim committee appointed by Waythamoorthy a few months ago, to spearhead the movement, which has developed a strong influence among the Indian community.
