Its leaders have been demonised and detained, its supporters labeled as misguided, and its grievances dismissed as ‘extreme’.

So what does Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) have up its sleeves to make known its plight and that of the Indian community?

Roses. Lots and lots of them. And for whom? Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In a statement from London today, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy said 10,000 Indians bearing red and yellow roses will converge in February at the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur to petition Abdullah on issues affecting the Indian community.

Red roses to signify the ‘love and peace’ with which Hindraf brings its message, yellow roses to signify the demand for justice for five of Hindraf’s leaders - including Waytha’s brother Uthayakumar - who are currently held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Waythamoorthy said the yellow roses also symbolise the ‘cry for justice’ emanating from the Indian community on the whole that ‘has been neglected for the last 50 years’.

Abdullah, as internal security minister, had signed the orders for the detention of the ‘Hindraf 5' under the ISA - which provides for detention without trial. They were accused of being a threat to national security.

‘The heart bleeds’

Waythamoorthy said Hindraf aims to unleash its ‘flower power’ and bring its message of love, peace and justice in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.

However, the roses for Abdullah will only be delivered two days later on Feb 16.

‘The heart of the Indian community bleeds on the incarceration of their leaders under the ISA. It is hoped by accepting the roses, the prime minister would be compassionate and understand the needs of the Indian community,” said Waythamoorthy.

Requesting Abdullah to “make himself available” to the petitioners, Waythamoorthy said Hindraf hopes the prime minister would be more compassionate.

“It is hoped that by accepting the roses, the prime minister would be compassionate and understand the needs of the Indian community,” he said.

However, it is expected that the police will declare the gathering of 10,000 illegal - with or without roses.