“Identity a complex issue in Malaysia”

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The best solution to the problems of the Tamils in Malaysia lies in finding a political system which will provide adequate space for various identities, V. Suryanarayan, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Asia Studies, said on Tuesday.

Addressing a function organised to release his book ‘Malaysia Inthiya Tamilarkalin Avala Nilai,’ he said identity was a complex issue in Malaysia because the government there was building a nation based on Islamic law and Malay language.

Professor Suryanarayan, who had visited various countries and interacted with people of Indian origin as part of his research, said religion had become a great source of identity for Indians abroad.

“Adaptation to the surrounding and retention of culture are the two characteristics of the Indian,” he said.

Historian S. Muthiah said the question that remained unanswered was why Indians, especially Tamils, were unable to integrate with the country they had settled in and remained in ghettos.

Recalling various types of migrations of Indians to foreign countries that happened at various points of time, he said while other communities settled in countries could emerge prosperous, Tamils continued to suffer because of lack of unity. He also recalled the efforts made by Jawaharlal Nehru in bringing together various Tamil groups in Sri Lanka and the formation of Ceylon Indian Congress.

Former Chief Secretary of West Bengal B.S. Raghavan said unlike the Chinese in Malaysia, the Tamils had failed to develop their skills and qualifications. “They are not able to coexist in the country and lacked the drive to succeed,” he said.

BJP leader L. Ganesan said though Hindu identity was the plank on which support for the Malaysian Tamils could be mobilised, political parties in the country were not ready to support the idea.

The book was published jointly by the Indian Centre for South Asian Studies and Centre for Asia Studies.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article492329.ece

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Filed Under: Human Rights • Malaysia • News • PIO • World