As India gears up for general elections, the plight of Eelam Tamils is taking center stage in the election scene in Tamil Nadu for the first time in several years with all major political parties, including ruling DMK, main opposition AIADMK, Congress, BJP PMK, MDMK, CPI(M) and CPI, saying that the Eelam Tamils issue will figure prominently during the election campaign.
According to political analysts, politicians in India's southern Tamil Nadu state are trying to outbid each other in sympathising with the Eelam Tamils in order to take advantage of the pro-Eelam mood that has been sweeping the state in the past few months.
According to political analysts, politicians in India's southern Tamil Nadu state are trying to outbid each other in sympathising with the Eelam Tamils in order to take advantage of the pro-Eelam mood that has been sweeping the state in the past few months.
Since October last year, people from across the political spectrum have come out strongly in support of Eelam Tamils and the LTTE. Tamils in the state have staged many mass protests, awareness campaigns, human chains, famine protests and conferences urging an immediate ceasefire and a stop to the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. At least 11 people have killed themselves protesting the inaction of the Indian government in saving Tamils.
AIADMK calls for ceasefire
AIDMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha Jeyaram released a strongly worded statement in which she called for ‘an immediate ceasefire’.
"I strongly insist that an immediate ceasefire is the only way to save the Tamil civilians in the safety zone," said Jayalalitha in a signed statement in Tamil, issued on Wednesday, April 8.
Jayalalitha blamed Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi and the Central Government of India for the current plight of Tamil civilians.
"People of Tamil Nadu will wash their hands off of such elements whose hands are jointly at work causing misery to the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka," she said.
Mass agitations of Tamils are taking place in UK, France, Canada and Norway to put an end to the inhuman war that is killing Tamils, but Karunandhi is maintaining a vicious silence as though nothing is taking place, she charged.
"Karunanidhi was watching with an assenting note when the Central Government of India was supplying weapons and providing military training to Sri Lanka in the war against Tamils," she said.
"Karunanidhi was watching with an assenting note when the Central Government of India was supplying weapons and providing military training to Sri Lanka in the war against Tamils," she said.
"His sole aim was continuing in power and looking after the welfare of his family members. Had he challenged the Central Government that would have would forced the government to change its course at the time itself, and the Tamils would have been saved. But, Karunanidhi didn't do it. Because of the selfishness of Karunanidhi, the Tamil ethnicity is facing extinction in Sri Lanka."
Jayalalitha cited reports on the condition of 200,000 Tamil civilians in the safety zone, including reports on the deployment of poisonous weapons by the Sri Lanka government. The whole world is shocked, she said.
If Karunanidhi cares anything for Tamils, he should demand the Central Government to stop the war immediately, she further said and added: "The Sri Lankan government should immediately announce ceasefire and the entire Tamil population should voice for it."
Jayalalitha cited reports on the condition of 200,000 Tamil civilians in the safety zone, including reports on the deployment of poisonous weapons by the Sri Lanka government. The whole world is shocked, she said.
If Karunanidhi cares anything for Tamils, he should demand the Central Government to stop the war immediately, she further said and added: "The Sri Lankan government should immediately announce ceasefire and the entire Tamil population should voice for it."
LTTE endorsement
LTTE political head B. Nadesan, in an exclusive interview to India Today, welcomed the statement by Jayalalitha, prompting commentators interpret it as endorsement of AIADMK.
"Leaders of AIDMK alliance are very much involved in the recent upsurge in Tamil Nadu towards our people. ADMK's founder, the legendary leader M.G.R, steadfastly supported the well-being and the political quest for self-determination of Eelam Tamils at all times. Jayalalithaa has given voice to the Tamil people and she understands the Tamil people's political aspirations very well. Interestingly, she has discussed a solution based on the principle of self-determination in one of the recent statements. It is an encouraging development," Nadesan said.
Jayalalitha's allies, like MDMK chief Vaiko, PMK's S. Ramadoss and Left leaders from the state too came in for praise from the LTTE, according to India Times.
The paper further stated that Nadesan hoped MPs elected from Tamil Nadu would help change New Delhi's policy with regard to the conflict in Sri Lanka.
"We are generally expecting the new government will review the present policy towards the conflict and Tamil aspirations with new realities. And I expect that elected representatives from Tamil Nadu will play an effective role in the re-shaping process," he said.
Asked about the DMK, Nadesan said the party had failed to bring relief to the Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, the paper added.
"I can only say, the relief has not reached our people. The Tamil people are fighting against Sinhala armed forces and struggling against hunger and disease on the other hand. I believe that the DMK and the other political leaders of Tamil Nadu are fully aware of this situation," he added.
Nadesan's comments are seen as significant as the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka worsens and the Eelam issue has become major electoral topic in the state.
DMK rally for Eelam Tamils
Meanwhile, The DMK led by Karunanidhi organised a mass rally on Thursday April 9, in solidarity with the Eelam Tamils. The rally was attended by thousands of cadres belonging to DMK, Congress, VCK, DK, IUML and other parties along with Ministers and leaders of parties. At the end of the rally, leaders of various parties addressed the gathering.
Speaking at the rally, Karunanidhi warned the Sri Lankan President, Rajapakse, "Irrespective of the consequences of the war and what happens to Pirapaharan, treat him and Ealam Tamils honourably and equally by sharing power. Otherwise, history will not forgive you".
Karunanidhi also made a desperate appeal to Congress leader, Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the issue and stop the war in the island.
Angry reaction
Karunanidhi also made a desperate appeal to Congress leader, Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the issue and stop the war in the island.
Angry reaction
Karunanidhi’s request to Rajapakse to treat Pirapaharan with honour and respect if captured drew widespread condemnation from many political parties in the state.
Pala Nedumaran from the Tamil National Movement condemned the chief minister’s statement saying: “The malicious intention of Karunanidhi that the Tigers will be defeated will never come true…the Tigers will win the war and the DMK chief will witness that in his life-time.”
PMK founder S Ramadoss said the DMK chief ’s request to Rajapakse had made Tamils throughout the world hang their heads in shame. “Instead of raising his voice for ending the war against the Tamils’ struggle in Lanka, Karunanidhi is trying to write an epilogue to the war itself…it is shameful,” he said.
Reacting angrily to Karunanidhi’s statement MDMK leader Vaiko said: "The Tigers are fighting the Sri Lankan army. Here the hearts of Tamils is like a volcano. People have forgotten Sriperumbudur a long time ago. Pirapaharan is in the hearts of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
“If anything happens to Pirapaharan, there will be blood bath in Tamil Nadu. Your police force cannot do anything about it"
