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28 January 2016
Indira Gandhi ‘unilateral conversion’ case goes to apex court https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/328625 @mkula
Lawyers representing kindergarten teacher M Indira Gandhi filed an application for leave to appeal to the Federal Court today over the issue of unilateral conversion of underage children.
Her lawyer M Kulasegaran confirmed the filing of the application.
“Eight questions of law are being posed to the highest court in the country,” he said.
However, he would not divulge the questions.
Leave or permission has to be gained at the Federal Court before a full appeal is heard.
It was reported on Dec 30 that the Court of Appeal ruled that the civil courts have no jurisdiction to rule on Islamic conversion cases as such jurisdiction lies with the syariah courts.
The appellate court in a majority 2-1 decision ruled that determining the validity of the conversion was the exclusive jurisdiction of the syariah courts.
This was despite the Ipoh High Court ruling as null and void the conversion of Indira Gandhi’s three children by their convert father K Pathmanathan @ Mohd Ridhuan Abdullah.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/328625
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26 January 2016
Indira takes her case to Parliament.Met Ministers Nazri,Liow n Kurup. Ministers assure necessary changes to address
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24 January 2016
Petition drive for Indira Gandhi in conversion challenge draws wide support http://bit.ly/1ZKyORN
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More than 1,000 signatures for the Solidarity with M. Indira Gandhi campaign were collected from devotees and visitors to the Thaipusam festival, held at the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Ipoh today.
DAP’s M. Kula Segaran said support came not only from Hindus, but also Muslims who said they stood with Indira in challenging the unilateral conversion of her three children to Islam.
“Members of the public also got a chance to meet and speak with Indira personally.
“We welcome the generous support and hope it will pay off in the bid for Indira’s case to be heard in the Federal Court as well as to bring about important changes in legislation pertaining to parental rights and unilateral conversion of children’s religion,” the Ipoh Barat MP said.
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22 January 2016
Kula: Indira may seek international redress
DAP MP for Ipoh Barat M Kulasegaran said his client may have to resort to the United Nations’ help to regain custody of her daughter who was converted to Islam without the mother’s consent.Speaking at a ‘Solidarity with Indira Gandhi’ gathering in Seberang Prai last night, the lawyer for Indira in her six-year custody battle said Malaysia’s accession to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw) provides access for his client’s recourse to international remedy.
“The appellate courts here have denied Indira a mother’s right to custody of her daughter which is covered by Cedaw,” said Kulasegaran, addressing a crowd of about 400 people who packed the Dewan Sree Mariamman.
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“We will persist with the legal recourse to the apex court. If that doesn’t succeed in reuniting mother with daughter, we will have to resort to international help,” explained Kulasegaran.
The COA decision has focused public attention on Indira’s plight, with walkabouts and gatherings being staged in various towns and cities.
Last night’s gathering was possibly the largest in the circuit thus far. It featured Penang DAP leaders Chong Eng, a member of the state executive council, and Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy.
Other speakers included senior lawyer K Saraswathy and NGO leader Thasleem Mohamed Ibrahim.
All speakers demanded justice for Indira and lauded her courage in waging a now seven-year battle for custody of her daughter. Indira also spoke, thanking her lawyers for doing pro bono work for her.
Cedaw is an international treaty adopted by the UN general assemby in 1979 and was opened for signatures and accession in 1981. Malaysia signed and acceded to the treaty in 1995.
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Solidarity with Indira Gandhi now has come to Seremban. Hall filled full. I notice a number of police chaps present
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“Solidarity with Indira Gandhi come to Seremban ” –Forum “Solidarity with Indira” campaign now comes to Seremban… http://fb.me/2t8zFQjoM
Kula Segaran
AT THE POLO GROUND IPOH
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2016
4.30PM
AT LEAST 400 CAME TO SUPPORT INDIRA GANDHI.
The weather was fine, with a gentle breeze…
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Indira Gandhi is flanked by leaders of the Perak Women for Women Society (PWW)
M. Kulasegaran, Ipoh Barat MP (DAP) spoke briefly.
Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar (PSM) came…
Indira Gandhi
People signed the petition…
Men in Black, Perak Bar. No work for them as there were no arrests.
Marchers
Some of those who came in support
Group photos
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300 walk in solidarity with Indira Gandhi https://shar.es/1h15EM via @sharethis
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A Mother’s Plight
Topic > Letters
Indira Gandhi’s case should have been decided as any other contentious family matter and should have been resolved a long ago. The principle of the best interest of the child should have been applied and custody, care and control of the minor children should have been granted to Indira.
What went wrong? Why is this mother being subjected to such mental anguish and agony? Didn’t she follow the right procedure? After all, she was married under the civil law to Patmanathan and the children were conceived and born during this marriage. The marriage is not viable anymore, due to conversion of one spouse and a dissolution is sought. Dissolution of the marriage and custody should have been given as provided under civil law.
This is exactly what Indira wanted when she filed for her divorce and subsequent custody of her young children. Why was this mother not given the relief she pursued? Why is it so difficult for the courts to decide on this particular family matter when they have the jurisdiction to do so?
The youngest child, a baby girl was only a year old. The two teenage children were at an age where conversion and religion were something totally out of their understanding. Their interests and welfare should have been the utmost priority when deciding the issue of custody. Indira Gandhi as a non-Muslim and a party to a civil marriage rightfully went to the civil courts for remedy. Her rights have been vested to her as a citizen of this country. The recent Court of Appeal decision has decided otherwise. The conversion of one spouse to the marriage and the unilateral conversion of the infant and children have been considered out of context and Indira has been left in the lurch. It appears that Indira, a non-Muslim, has to go to the Syariah courts to seek relief. It is a known fact that non-Muslims cannot file proceedings in the Syariah court, as they have no locus to do so.
Indira has one more attempt to appeal to the Federal Court. The basic principles of law and family have been overlooked just because the issue of conversion has been given priority. Is it going to be another futile attempt for Indira and her lawyers? It is my humble hope that the apex court, where Indira will be appealing next, is more vigilant, righteous and compassionate in their final verdict.
Sumathi Sivamany
Vice President
Perak Women for Women Society (PWW)
http://www.ipohecho.com.my/v3/article/2016/01/16/a-mothers-plight
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COME IN BLACK!
THE POLO GROUND IPOH
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2016
4.30PM
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Solidarity walk with Indira Gandhi on 16th Jan2016 at 4.30pm at Polo Grounds ipoh. All welcome.Organized by PWW
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Please join us and walk in solidarity to show support to Indira Gandhi. Indira will be present at Polo Ground, Ipoh.
Wear something in black..black shoes, black hat etc..
Our sister JAGgers will be present as well!!!
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weehingthong 
There seems to be a news blackout about this. Is there going to be a similar event in Seremban or Klang the week after this?
M. Kula Segaran @mkula 40m40 minutes ago
RT@kthiruselvam May this first walk spread across the nation,”screwtinise” justice, law and national leadership to bring justice to Indira.”
Been there. Walked the walk. It turns out that there are many cases like hers. She is the only one willing to take it all the way. Her daughter was ADBUCTED. KIDNAPPED. Isn’t that an offence? If a similar case were to occur in Singapore, what do you think will happen? Maybe we should trade. One year they come over here and we send ours over there.
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