The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) today declared that it would proceed with its mass gathering tomorrow morning although that would mean breaking the law.

Some 10,000 supporters were originally expected to gather and witness the handing of a petition to the British High Commission at Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the authorities have thrown a spanner in the works for Hindraf by obtaining a court order to restrain people from participating in the rally.

One-half of Hindraf's prime mover, P Uthayakumar, told Malaysiakini that he and fellow members are prepared to face arrest for their cause.

"We hope to be able to gather tomorrow. But if we are stopped by the police, we will sit down and let our negotiators deal with them.

"We intend to hand in our memorandum and go home peacefully," said the feisty human rights lawyer at his office this evening.

Uthayakumar expressed confidence that Hindraf supporters would turn up in full force tomorrow despite the stern warnings from the authorities.

"Indians are generally fear-ridden. Now, they have come out of that fear," he said, pointing out at the huge turnout of supporters in Klang yesterday as an example.

Yesterday, three key Hindraf leaders - Uthayakumar, P Waythamoorthy and V Ganabatirau - were arrested on sedition charges by the Shah Alam police.

Following that, more than 2,000 supporters had then gathered at the Klang Sessions Court, where the three were charged, to show support.

Both Uthayakumar and Ganabatirau are free on bail while Waythamoorthy has refused to accept bail as a sign of protest. He is now being held at the Sungai Buloh prison until their court case is reheard on Monday.

'Violence by outsiders'

Uthayakumar assured the authorities have no need to be worried about Hindraf supporters becoming unruly because their track record in public events are unblemished.

"We have held 18 successful forums nationwide over the past three months without a single incident. Our demonstration in Putrajaya had also proven to be disciplined," he stressed.

However, he claimed that he had been informed that thugs from two political parties would be present during the rally tomorrow to "cause trouble".

He added that a religious ceremony would take place at the start of the gathering to seek blessings and to show that the event was meant to be peaceful.

Asked if he was confident that Hindraf and its supporters would meet their objectives tomorrow, Uthayakumar replied, "I really don't know".

"If the police frustrate our efforts and we fail to hand over the petition, a 10-member delegation would meet the Queen of England's secretary and hand over the petition in England," he added.

Uthayakumar is the legal adviser for Hindraf, while his brother Waythamoorthy, is the chairperson of the movement.

Road closure

In August this year, Waythamoorthy filed a suit against the British government at the Royal Court of Justice, London for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years.

Furthermore, the suit sought a declaration that the Reid Commission Report 1957 failed to incorporate the rights of the Indian community resulting in discrimination and marginalisation till this day.

The quantum being sought is US$4 trillion (RM14 trillion) - or US$2 million for every Indian currently residing in Malaysia.

Following the filing of the suit, Hindraf held nationwide roadshows explaining to grassroots about the case.

Coupled with their work to prevent rampant state-sanctioned demolition of Hindu temples, Hindraf won over a wave of support for their cause.

The petition tomorrow seeks to lobby the British Queen to appoint a Queen's Counsel to represent Waythamoorthy's suit.

Meanwhile, the police today announced that Jalan Ampang and three other major roads in the vicinity of the British High Commission would be closed to traffic tomorrow.

The police also pasted court orders around the high commission area, warning people not to participate in the illegal gathering.

At the same time, roadblocks have been mounted across the city to stop people form entering to participate in the rally.