Conversations on Malaysian Indian communities are often framed through deficit narratives such as crime, poverty and social dysfunction while systemic and institutional forms of violence remain under-theorised and under-discussed. Issues such as custodial death of Malaysian-Indian men, policing, incarceration, structural racism, caste discrimination and gendered violence are frequently treated as isolated problems rather than interconnected systems of power.
Featuring political actors, scholars, educators and human rights’ defenders, this panel brings together diverse perspectives to reflect on justice, caste, feminist approaches, and collective dignity and joy within these contexts.
Panelists:
Kasthuriraani Patto, International Secretary of the Democratic Action Party
Sevan Doraisamy, SUARAM Advisor
Gaayathrey Balakrishnan, Antropika Consultancy Co-founder
Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, Central Committee Member of Parti Sosialis Malaysia
Moderator/Discussant:
Dr Parvathi Wajindram, Senior Lecturer at Department of Indian Studies, Universiti Malaya