Author: Agencies
Publication: The Statesman
Date: November 30, 2007
URL: http://www.thestatesman.org/page.arcview.php?date=2007-11-30&usrsess=1297795801327&clid=2&id=205768
Malaysia triggered a potential diplomatic
row with India when a senior minister today threatened Tamil Nadu chief minister
Mr M Karunanidhi that he should "lay off" after the DMK supremo
voiced concern over the harsh police action here against ethnic Tamils here.
The comments by Nazri Aziz, minister in the
Prime Minister's Department, came even as the USA supported the Tamils while
underscoring the rights of Malaysians to hold peaceful protests.
In a strong response to Karunanidhi's statement
that he was "very pained" over the treatment meted out to Tamils
here, Mr Aziz said he should "worry" about his own state which has
problems and not about the happenings in Malaysia.
"His place is in Tamil Nadu, not Malaysia.
He should worry about his own state. His own state has got problems,"
Mr Aziz was quoted as saying by the local media.
"This has got nothing to do with him
... lay off," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Reacting to Mr Aziz' comment, Mr Karunanidhi
said it was his "duty" to "defend" Tamils and he was prepared
to accept any "punishment" for doing so. Mr Karunanidhi said he
had done his duty as chief minister to request Prime Minister Dr Manmohan
Singh to take action to mitigate the "sufferings of Tamils in Malaysia."
"If there is any punishment for doing
the duty, I am prepared to accept it," he said. The DMK supremo also
made it clear he did not criticise the Malaysian government.
Asked if he had to say anything to Mr Aziz
for the harsh comments that he should mind his business, Mr Karunanidhi said:
"I don't want to reply to his (Aziz) remarks. I don't want to get into
a tit-for-tat. It is my duty to defend Tamils."
A US State Department official meanwhile commenting
on the crackdown of unprecedented street protests said: "We believe citizens
of any country should be allowed to peacefully assemble and express their
views."
The US official, speaking on condition of
anonymity, did not go beyond his succinct statement, which was the first reaction
by Washington on the rare outpouring of anti-government dissent in Malaysia.
The issue of alleged discrimination and mistreatment
of ethnic Indians in Malaysia today disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha
with members from Tamil Nadu, cutting across party lines, asking the government
to take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur. The BJP members also joined the protest
after Mr SK Kharaventhan (Congress) raised the issue and were supported by
all members from Tamil Nadu. BJP's Yogi Adityanath was heard remarking about
the demolition of temples in Malaysia.
When Mr Kharaventhan urged the government
to take steps to "protect" the ethnic Indians in Malaysia, Speaker
Mr Somnath Chatterjee asked members to not say anything that would affect
relations with the friendly country.
Mr Chatterjee ordered expunction of remarks
by some members regarding police action against a demonstration of Malaysian
Tamils, observing "we are a very responsible democracy. We don't discuss
.... any other country in such a manner."
External affairs minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee
was present in the House but Mr Chatterjee dismissed demands from members
that he should direct the minister to respond.
At one point, the Speaker said Mr Mukherjee
is a "very responsible person" and his presence in the House was
enough.
