Makkal Shakti
Dec 1st, 2007 by Tian
“Makkal Shakti” was the slogan for the peaceful assembly on Sunday 25 November 2007. It can be literally translated as “People’s Power” (Makkal=people; Shakti=power). It is interesting that the phrase has a similar connotation as “Suara Rakyat, Suara Keramat”. I guess the literal translation for our Reformasi slogan would be “Makkal Osai Makkal Shakti”.
I am proud to say that I was at rally. I do not necessarily agree with all the demands contained in HINDRAF memorandum. Neither I support the political philosophy of HINDRAF. Nonetheless, the mass rally on 25 November marked the rise of the people.
Indeed, the mobilization was of a single ethnicity. While such an approach might not be most effective, it is nonetheless a specific call for attention to the dilemma faced by the Malaysian Indian community. Some sympathetic voices affirmed the rally by justifying it as a cry of desperation from an oppressed minority. I totally disagree. The protesters showed no sign or emotion of despair. (Unfortunately many of these sympathizers never turned up at the rally themselves). Instead, the mass gathering gave pride and a sense of empowerment to the Indian people.
In general, armchair political analysts often loathe the social consciousness of the Malaysian Indian community. Indian voters have been seen as solid supporters of the BN regime (due to ‘ignorance’).
On 25 November, protesters from all walks of life and all corners of the country gathered in KL to testify to a new chapter of history. The tables are now turned. Samy Vellu and his MIC cohorts fell from their seats, while their UMNO masters blew their heads off in anger.
Some people might be uncomfortable with the language of HINDRAF. I fully appreciate such worries, as UMNO would use its propaganda tool to discredit the opposition and so on. Just remember, this is a people’s movement. A people’s movement is usually loosely structured, with lots of spontaneity. One cannot expect the demands presented by people’s uprising to be always eloquently crafted.
The core issue here is that Indian people are oppressed, both as an ethnic group as well as a class, and they are voicing their objection — loudly and bravely but peacefully.
Let’s all Malaysians stand in solidarity with our oppressed sisters and brothers!
The following slide captured glimpses of people’s actions at the mass rally:
Police in action: