Tamil Nadu prepared for a total shut down on February 4, Sri Lanka’s Independence Day to protest against the killing Tamils in Sri Lanka. The general shutdown, called by the newly formed Eelam Tamils Protection Movement (ETPM) comes amidst widespread public anger at Delhi’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s war.
In the past week, 2 people have committed suicide by self-immolating themselves in protest of Delhi’s continued support to Sri Lankan state. A third person who jumped from a 100-metre high telecommunications tower protesting against Indian inaction against Sri Lanka’s brutal war against Tamils.
Businesses associated with Sri Lanka, including Bank of Ceylon and Sri Lankan Airlines, were attacked and destroyed.
Across the state, students observed fasts and trade unionists, womens organisations and lawyers took to the streets against the continuing killing of Tamils in the neighbouring island.
Student uprising
On January 23 200,000 students from various schools and colleges took part in a state wide boycott in support of Eelam Tamils. Students of more than five colleges in the state are on indefinite hunger strike and in various parts of the state, students are indulging in road-blockades and are taking out processions to show their solidarity with the Eelam Tamils.
As means of diffusing the student uprising, the government of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, January 31 announced an indefinite closure of all state-aided, state-run and private colleges in the state.
As means of diffusing the student uprising, the government of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, January 31 announced an indefinite closure of all state-aided, state-run and private colleges in the state.
"This reminds us of the 1965 anti-Hindi agitations that rocked Tamil Nadu. At that point of time too, colleges were indefinitely closed that lasted well over three months," said a senior Tamil activist.
Advocates in indefinite boycott
Demanding the International Community to impose sanctions on Sri Lanka and calling for the resignation of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee for his approach to the Tamil issue, the Madras High Court Advocates Association Thursday, January 29 called for an indefinite boycott of courts.
The Tamil Nadu Advocates Association, the other major lawyers collective, has also asked its members to abstain from court proceedings for a week.
Madras High Court Advocates Association President Paul Kanagaraj has called for an association meeting Tuesday to chart out the future course of action.
Likewise, the Tamil Nadu Advocates Association President S Prabakaran has urged the Center to take steps to stop the genocide of Tamils.
Madras High Court Advocates Association President Paul Kanagaraj has called for an association meeting Tuesday to chart out the future course of action.
Likewise, the Tamil Nadu Advocates Association President S Prabakaran has urged the Center to take steps to stop the genocide of Tamils.
