Tamil Nadu actor ‘Thalapathy' Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has passed a resolution demanding an independence referendum “to bring about a permanent solution for Eelam Tamils”.
Tamil Nadu actor ‘Thalapathy' Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has passed a resolution demanding an independence referendum “to bring about a permanent solution for Eelam Tamils”.
During the party’s executive committee meeting on Sunday, the TVK passed a series of 26 resolutions, including one that called for the Tamil Eelam referendum.
“In matters related to Sri Lanka, foreign policy should be formulated in consultation with the Tamil Nadu government,” the resolution added. “A Tamil should be appointed as the Indian ambassador to Sri Lanka.”
The party went on to highlight the issue of “attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen” by the Sri Lankan security forces, stating that the issue of fishing in the Palk Strait should be seen as a “humanitarian” one. “It is clear they should not be arrested or imprisoned,” said the resolution, stating that the party would “fight together with the fishermen” to ensure the assaults stop.
See the full text of the resolution in Tamil below.
The passing of the resolutions comes days after the party held its inaugural rally, thought to have been attended by hundreds of thousands of people.
Amongst the other resolutions passed were those relating to the Tamil language rights in Tamil Nadu, the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the closure of liquor shops in the state.
Previously Vijay has vocally advocated for the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle. In 2008, in the midst of the Mullivaikkal Tamil genocide, Vijay took part in a one-day hunger strike where he said "let freedom dawn for Eelam Tamils. This plea extends beyond just my fans; it is an earnest appeal to anyone who carries the essence of Tamil identity within them.” He went on, “We are tiger cubs!”.
Read more here: 'We are tiger cubs!' - Vijay's support for the Tamil Eelam cause
