India on Friday joined issue with Malaysia on the alleged ill-treatment of ethnic Indians there as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voiced concern over the developments amid mounting demands for action. Speaking to reporters briefly, Singh said: “This is a matter which concerns us. Whenever people of India run into difficulties, it is a source of concern.”

He, however, refused to speak further on the issue saying Parliament was in session. Singh was asked for comments on the issue at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, President of European Union, after their talks.

As the issue figured in Parliament for the second successive day, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said he would raise the issue with Kuala Lumpur for the adverse comments against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi by a Malaysian minister after the DMK leader reacted to the police action on ethnic Indian protesters in the East Asian country.

‘Take up with Malaysia’

The issue of alleged ill-treatment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia has rocked Parliament with political parties demanding that the government take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur.

The Lok Sabha even saw a walk out on the issue on Thursday as DMK and NDA partners, criticised the attack on Malaysian Tamils. Making a statement in both Houses of Parliament, Mukherjee said the government remained “deeply solicitous” for the welfare of people of Indian origin living abroad.

Mukherjee said some members had expressed concern over the alleged harassment of participants of a rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 and subsequent developments.

The protesters wanted support of Queen Elizabeth II for a class action suit filed in the UK against the exploitation of Indians who were brought to Malaysia as indentured labour.