Malaysia targets Karunanidhi, Diplomatic Row breaks out

The violent clashes between the Malaysian police and ethnic Indians resulted in a sudden diplomatic row between both the countries. When Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi expressed concerns over the plights of Tamils in Malaysia, Nazri Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in Malaysia reacted strongly. He said, "His place is in Tamil Nadu, not Malaysia. He should worry about his own state. His own state has got problems."

The remarks made by the Malaysian minister created a furore in India with MPs across the party line sought immediate intervention of Indian government in Malaysia to protect the minority Hindus. BJP maintained a tough stand by demanding Malaysia's expulsion from the Commonwealth.

Indians, who form 8 per cent of the Malaysian population have been facing racial abuse and atrocities in the past three days. According to reports reached here, at least 80 ethnic Indians were charged for taking part in a rally that demanded equal rights for minority Indians in Muslim-dominated Malaysia. The rally witnessed a large congregation of 10,000 people.

The ethnic Indians are protesting an affirmative action policy in Malaysia that favors Malay Muslims in jobs education, business and government contracts. Most of the ethnic Indians belong to Tamil community.