I almost fell off my swivel chair laughing when I read that the MIC's elected representatives would be holding their open houses after all ( MIC retracts ban on Deepavali events ).

Party president S Samy Vellu had initially issued a statement banning all open houses by the party's elected representatives as a mark of protest over the demolition of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam recently.

I started to have a little respect for him when I read this. He then went on to revoke the ban in less than three hours after making his initial proclamation. The reason given was that there was 'overwhelming requests from members of the community for the ban to be overturned'.

Fiddlesticks! Wake up, Uncle Samy! Do you think the average Indian actually cares?

The real reason behind the about-turn is probably angry protests by the elected representatives themselves as many would have already prepared for their respective open houses to be held in venues such as clubs and dewans.

However, this quick about-turn is also reflective of two things.

Firstly, it is a clear indication that Samy Vellu is losing his grip on the party as well as its members as he can now be forced to retract his edicts. This would never have happened during his heydays as Samy Vellu's commands were fastidiously adhered to.

Secondly, it is indicative of the MIC's wishy-washy approach when dealing with real problems faced by the grassroots. For the poor Indian, his neighborhood temple is the pulse of his existence and to rob him of this is akin to confiscating the crutches of a cripple.

It would have been the right thing to do if the community's leaders had indeed cancelled their open houses as a mark of protest. Most importantly, it would have earned them much support from the people they profess to represent.