The leader of the DMK, M Karunanidhi has called on India to urge the UN to hold a referendum in the Northeast of Sri Lanka, to determine the political future of its people, reported The Hindu.
When asked about reporters about Delhi’s reluctance to get involved in the affairs of a sovereign country, Karunanidhi said that this is why the resolution passed the TESO conference was not in support of an independent Tamil Eelam.
“We want only a referendum and believe that it will benefit Sri Lankan Tamils and secure their rights,” he said.
Karunanidhi said a referendum would put an end to "tears and blood” shed by Tamils and that India should use its influence to garner support across the world.
In a letter to the UN Deputy General Secretary Jan Eliasson, Mr. Karunanidhi staid that steps to protect the lives and rights of Tamils needed to be taken as “there was no movement towards a mutually acceptable political solution and there were government-sponsored demographic manipulations aimed at eliminating Tamils from their homeland.”
His son and DMK treasurer MK Stalin and parliamentary party leader TR Baalu met Mr Eliasson, who promised to look into the Tamil issue.
Karunanidhi said his son and other senior party leaders would participate in a conference to be held in London next week, to work towards mobilising support for a referendum.
When questioned about military training provided by India to Sri Lanka, he said that this is unacceptable.
"According to information I received, (they) - the Centre - said (they) won't give them training in Tamil Nadu and it will be done somewhere else. I say, Tamil Nadu is also India,” he said.
