COMMENT In the midst of controversy raging about the Appeal Courts decision on the matter of M Indira Gandhi’s children’s unilateral conversions, certain MIC leaders have come out of their deep slumber to make their views known.

First, MIC president Dr S Subramaniam expressed regret about the decision of the Appeal Courts' decision, which he said opened the Pandora's Box on the nature and implications of unilateral conversion.

Second, MIC vice-president and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, M Saravanan, came out and lashed at the critics of the MIC by saying that "if you cannot find a solution to the matter, then shut up ".

This is the quality of leaders we have in the country.

The MIC, the weakest link in the BN coalition, is sliding downwards in terms of effectively representing and articulating the myriad demands and concerns of the Malaysian Indian community.

While the MIC leaders are not willing to admit it, the party as the "sole" representative of the Indian community in the government has failed on many fronts. The latest being its inability to prevent the unilateral conversions of children belonging to Hindu families.

Although there is not much expectation from the MIC, surely its leader, being a member of the cabinet, is expected to do things that the opposition might not be able to do.

What of cabinet committee?

Subramaniam as the MIC leader has failed to raise the matter of unilateral conversions in the cabinet and obtain the support of non-Malay political parties so that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak can implement the 2009 cabinet decision that forbade children below the age of 18 from converting if their parents are non-Muslims.

Furthermore, Subramaniam, who is also member of the cabinet committee that was set up in the aftermath of the 2013 general election to examine unilateral conversions, has failed to report back to the public on the progress made in preventing unilateral conversions.

Saravanan seems to have gone overboard in asking the MIC's critics to shut up if they cannot contribute to a solution on the Indira Gandhi matter.

Rather than asking the MIC critics to hold their tongue, he should indeed be helping his boss to explain to the Indian public about what the MIC has done to prevent the growing menace of unilateral conversions.

In fact, Saravanan should be coming out with a detailed explanation as what the MIC has done all these years on matters of religious conversions.

Even if it is beyond the ability or capability of the MIC to stem the tide of Islamisation on matters of conversions, surely the MIC as a component party of the BN could have got the backing of the other partners to support the decision adopted by the cabinet in 2009.

Why support 1988 amendment?

It is not clear whether Saravanan as member of parliament knows that an amendment in 1988 to the (Federal) Constitution supported by the MIC, MCA and Gerakan and others once and for all eliminated the jurisdiction of the civil courts on matters concerning Islam and left them to be dealt with in the syariah court.

Why did the MIC, MCA and Gerakan and others support this obnoxious amendment to the constitution? Did the MIC understand the implications of this change and what was in store for non-Muslims in the country?

Saravanan should understand that if leaders boast of MIC as the sole representative of Indians, then if the party fails to represent the community on serious issues, the people have the right to criticise.

As a politician and member of parliament, he should understand this and not get unnecessarily worked up if the MIC and its leaders are taken to task. This is something inevitable in politics.

Saravanan rather than directing his frustrations at those who criticise the MIC should be doing something useful for the community. Maybe he should bring a resolution in the next parliamentary sitting for the formation of a committee composed of members from the ruling coalition and opposition to examine and report on the problems faced by Malaysians on unilateral conversions.

Is he willing to do this?

Rather than asking others to zip up, Saravanan should hold his tongue and consider doing things for the benefit of the Indian community. But such a task might be new to him, but it is better late than never!

Enough lip service, amend laws to end Indira Gandhi stalemate

MIC to critics: Help out or shut up in child conversion case

IRF: Appellate court dodging responsibility in Indira's case

Is Ramasamy trying to remain relevant by slamming MIC?

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.