Criticising Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohammad for his statement that Hindraf is made up of Tamil racists, the outfit that led protests by ethnic Indians against alleged marginalisation has said that the former premier was trying to divert attention from his wrongdoings.
Hindu Rights Action Force president P Waythamoorthysaid that the remark made Mahathir sounds "like a broken record," Makkal Osai, a local daily, said.
"Dr Mahathir is only diverting attention from his wrongdoings that are being uncovered now," the Hindraf leader, who is stranded in London after his passport was revoked by Kuala Lumpur recently, said.
Waythamoorthy said the organisation represents oppressed Malaysians of Indian origin who were systematically marginalised over the years.
In his blog, Mahathir, who led the country for 22 years before making way for Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi wrote: "Hindraf represents Tamil racists who look to their old masters, the British, to protect them. They don't believe in Malaysian institutions. And, they speak not just of Indians but of Tamils as a separate race. They and their apologists are racists to the core."
Mahathir had also said that Malaysian India Congress president Samy Vellu was a racist for sympathising with Hindraf leaders.
The MIC leader had denied the charge on Sunday and said that Mahathir should play the role of a statesman for all races instead of calling others racist.
Malaysia's crackdown on unprecedented street protests by ethnic Indians against racial discrimination in November last year had sparked international concern. Five Hindraf leaders have been detained under the country's draconian Internal Security Act for leading the demonstrations.