Tamil Nadu game plan to take over Sri Lanka
Posted on April 1st, 2013
From a Well wisher
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What is the Tamil Problem ? ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Do they have a Problem ?
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In India, starting from the 1920s, Tamil Nadu tried hard to form a Coalition with other Dravidian states in the South of India and break away. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This did not work out sinceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the other states refused to be led by Tamil Nadu. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Also, in 1963 PM Nehru passed a very strong anti-Secessionist Law. TN then realised they can never have a separate state in India. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ So attention was turned to Sri Lanka. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Then known as Ceylon, the island had a good climate, the people were kindly and tolerant. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There was Free Education, Free Health Care and even Free Food for those below aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ certain income level.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ To head the effort to take over Sri Lanka bifurcation, SJV Chelvanayagam, who was born in Malaysia, was brought to Sri Lanka in 1902. He received completely free education at Sinhala tax payer expense. After he entered politics and formed the ITAK party and became the father of the Tamil separatist movement. If todays Tamil leaders gain an area that is Tamil only with police & land powers, then it would be a simple matter to import the 10-15 Million low caste Tamils from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Next it is simple matter to train them and let them loose on the poor Sinhalese. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ However, things did not work so smoothly as Chelva wanted. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ So the Plan went to next gear which was to take over the North & East by force of arms through the LTTE. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As per this Plan :
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (a) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A Sinhala backlash was orchestrated by sniping Sinhala soldiers stationed in Jaffna. When their bodies were brought to Colombo they knew there would be be Sinhala riots.
(b) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Videos were made of the 1983 Riots and distributed in the west by then Tamil ambassadors of Lanka. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They were Lukshmi Naganathan (Germany), Moorthy (France) andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Balachandran (UK). ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(c) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ After this, it was easy to raise funds in the west for the Tamil Cause, with the LTTE in charge
(d) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The guerrilla war started in Sri Lanka with the LTTE which was supported and funded by India. They were provided training camps and bases in South India.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(e) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Much publicity was created in the west by the Tamil diaspora through a combination of outright lies, bribery of senior officials in various countries. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(f) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the meantime, the LTTE killed large numbers of troops, senior govt officials, political leaders, robbed banks, destroyed govt property, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ etc. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The LTTE ran rings around CBK/Ranil duo. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The LTTE also killed large numbers of Tamils who did not comply. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Mediator appointed, Norway, was completely biased toward the LTTE, for reasons best known to them.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(f) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Even in the UNHCR, a key Tamil was placed as head (Navi PIllai), who has shown open bias against Sri Lanka. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(g) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The terrorists war dragged on for some 30 yrs as the GoSL tried its best to appease the Tamils.The stupidity of the GoSl headed first by Premadasa, then by CBK and Ranil combo helped LTTE to kill thousands of our Sinhala soldiers. Ranil cut spending on military and the troops were relegated to the barracks. CBK appointed her nephew and her uncle to head the defense effort which was an abysmal failure. When all seemed lost providence brought President Mahinda Rajapakse into power.
(h) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In May 2009, te newly elected President, Mahinda Rajapakse, decided that enough is enough and declared war on the LTTE, after the LTTE closed the water supply to the farmers of the east. The new President with the GOSL launched an offensive which resulted in total annhilation of the leader Prabhakaran and his LTTE. His efforts were opposed by the Catholic Church and the Western powers which wanted to keep the soup boiling.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(i) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka is probably the only country in the world which ran a government infrastructure at govt costs in terrorist territory, feeding food to the enemy and providing other necessities of life.
(j) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ After the fall of the ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LTTE, the Tamil Diaspora turned all their attention to INTERNATIONALISE ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ their Cause and make out to the world that there was ‘Genocide’ in Sri Lanka againstTamils and therefore they needed a separate state with Police & Land Powers to safe guard themselves. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It was to this end that the 1983 Riots were orchestrated.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(h) It was the LTTE who killed all the Sinhala villagers in the East and also many of the moderate Tamils. During the war they rounded up civilians in the North and East and took them along with them as they retreated as hostages. They killed thousands of the Tamils who tried to retreat and get into the army held areas. The Sri Lanka army did not kill Tamils on purpose it was the LTTE who did so.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(k) The latest in the LTTE diaspora plan is to create unrest and incite and inflame Tamil Nadu people against the Sinhalese. To this endƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ TN leaders lie without compunction about genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. It was the LTTE which carried out systematic genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Sinhala villages in the North and East. Entire villages were completely wiped out. Some of the children of these people who ran to the jungle and hid were later gathered by a Buddhist nun who brought them to an orphanage in Ratmalana. The army only tried to help the Tamil civilians who were kidnapped by the LTTE. At every opportunity the civilians escaped to the army lines. In the Final War alone, the army lost 6000 soldiers trying to save the civilians. Is that genocide by the army? The CH4 video is a video of the LTTE shooting captured Sinhala soldiers. They took it and dubbed it and showed it as Sinhala soldiers killing Tamils. See ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ http://www.terrorinlanka.com/ch4uk/ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(l) In South India, recently NDTV showed the Kebbettigola massacres done by the LTTE as killing by the Sri Lanka army. For once the GoSL protested. Do the TN leaders even realize the danger of creating hatred between the Tamils and Sinhalese ?. The LTTE realized they cannot create another 1983 situation in Sri Lanka from within. They are now trying to create it by attacking innocent pilgrims such as the Buddhist priests in Tamil Nadu. If there is another uprising in Sri Lanka they can they really go to the UNHRC and get their stooge Navi Pillay to carve up the country and achieve the land grab they always wanted.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
(m) TN leaders instead of screaming about Genocide should visit Sri Lanka and see for themselves the real situation. Most of the Tamils live in the South in and around Colombo and other cities. Some are among the wealthiest in Sri Lanka. Ken Balendran is a multi billionaire. Even Navi Pillay should come to Sri Lanka and see the situation at first hand. The Australian group of MPs are some who came to Sri Lanka and visited the north and spoke to the Tamils in the north to get first hand information. Their report is one of the few which is fair by Sri Lanka. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2013/02/13/julie-bishop-mp-and-scott-morrison-mp-joint-press-conference-abc-news-24/ .MP Ian Paisley also made a passionate speech on behalf of Sri Lanka in the U.K. parliament. He had also visited and seen the situation at first hand. See attached.http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=UK_recognizes_welcomes_progress_made_in_Sri_Lanka_Foreign_Office_Minister_20130115_02
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (n) I cannot for the life of me understand the silence of GoSL on all these lies put out by the Tamil diaspora. There are a lot of photographs and information of LTTE atrocities which should have been brought to the attention of UNHCR. The original video of the LTTE killing Sinhala soldiers was dubbed by them in Tamil and shown as Sinhala soldiers killing LTTE on CH4. The original true video has been circulating on Lanka Web since the false CH4 videos were shown.
(o) For the last three years the Tamil Diaspora have been working with parties interested in creating a Separate State for Tamils. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is for various reasons.
(1) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Catholic Church : ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as they would like to bring in Tamil Dalits for conversion to Catholicism and create a Catholic state in the North. (Note: Buddhism is growing fast in the west due to the fact of simplicity & rationality which appeals to the educated and those who are rational in their thinking).
(2) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The western countries who would like to balkanize India by using Sri Lanka as a base stepping stone. Tamil Nadu has been hankering after Secession for a long time.
(3) ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Other vested interests such as arms dealers, oil companies, corporations in search of resources.
(p) By all their activities, what have the Tamils so far gained ?
- Tamil Nadu is viewed with some suspicion in India due to previous TN Secession ideas.
- The Tamils have lost credibility in Sri Lanka and the western countries have noted the money fraud and other anti-social activities of the Tamil LTTE cadre there such as the wanton destruction in London costing the govt there millions of pounds. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
- Western countries have actually banned the LTTE even though their members roam freely all over those countries and collect funds. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
- If instead of creating mayhem all over Sri Lanka and other parts of the world they had spent the estimated $5 billion which was used to buy arms and ship to Sri Lanka, on developing the Tamil Nadu they could have created another Singapore in Tamil Nadu. Of course the upper caste people do not wish to either educate or develop the Tamil Dalits. They want them forever in institutionalized slavery as bucket carriers for faeces, and do other menial jobs.
(q) What steps can Sri Lanka take to protect itself from Tamil Nadu negative aspirations ?
1. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Create a standing army of Sinhalese like in Switzerland which keeps an army of 2 Million trained civilians in a state of readiness to take arms in a matter of hours.
2. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Pursue a strategy to remove NGOS & others who work against the interests of the country.
3. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Pass very strong anti Secessionist Laws like in India with heavy punishments for those who incite Secession. Politicians cannot be allowed contest on Separatism.
4. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Remove the 13-A and the useless Prov. Councils with it.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
5. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If Tamil Separatism persists, others can boycott their businesses in protest. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Also, do not depend on Tamil Labor for tea plantations, etc. Mechanize instead. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
April 1st, 2013 at 12:52 pm
“He received completely free education at Sinhala tax payer expense.”
NO.
He studied at a PRIVATE SCHOOL.
The BIGGEST attraction in SL for TN is SL’s Tamil language. Tamil language in SL makes TN people feel AT HOME away from REAL home. What more they want?
Imagine Australia works in SINHALA language. ALL SLs will try to go to Australia!!
April 1st, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Also declare the TNA illegal and have them struck off as a political party while they have in their constitution the reference to a ‘Separate State’, contrary to and in confliuct with the Constitution of Sri Lanka
– S de Silva – London
April 1st, 2013 at 3:24 pm
I am confused as anybody about silence of the GOSL response to LTTE propaganda. I sent all he slides I have on LTTE killing of Sihala people to SL mission in New York. I could not beleive the response I got. Basic problem is the our ambassordors in important countries are incompetent unqualifed people. It is sad. Shame on SL politicians.
April 1st, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Lorenzo,
Please see below the information from Wilkepedia.
He was brought to Sri Lanka from Ipoh Malaysia for free education. His father stayed behind. He came with his mother and brothers.
“The Chelvanayakam family lived in Tellippalai, Jaffna District. Chelvanayakam studied at Union College, St. John’s College and St. Thomas’ College where he was a contemporary of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, a future Prime Minister of Ceylon. He was an external student of the University of London and at the age of 19 he received a Bachelor of Science degree”.
April 1st, 2013 at 3:55 pm
Cerberus,
Union College Jaffna
St. John’s College Jaffna
St. Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia
all have been private schools. The last one still is.
Free education was introduced in 1938 according to the internet. By then Chelva was 40 years old.
Yes the ATTRACTION would have been FREE education for these kallathoni to come to SL but they GOT MORE THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR!! They always do in SL!!
But it is a SMALL part of a WELL WRITTEN article. Good work!
April 1st, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Sorry for picking up holes but ‘uncle’ rather granduncle Wilson was known to our family who was a relative of dirty Chelva. Wilson was DISGUSTED of Chelva’s racism and he had been very OPEN about it.
April 1st, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Biggest impediment to correctly handling India is the widespread myth that disintegration of Sri Lanka will lead to disintegration of India. Even highly respected persons including HL De Silva used to say so a decade ago. However, the truth today is different to this myth. Disintegration of Sri Lanka is actually the strengthening of India.
When Pakistan was disintegrated into Bangladesh and modern Pakistan, some predicted India’s West Bengal will join Bangladesh because of same culture, language and people. But it didn’t happen. The opposite happened. West Bengal realized the potential of being part of India. West Bengal could never have fought against Pakistan alone and won Bangladesh; it had to be part of India. This is the same logic for Tamil Nadu which will not leave India.
Interestingly, the emergence of Tamil militancy, supported by India, dates back to the aftermath of the Indian operation in Bangladesh. India simply wanted to replicate the Bangladesh success story.
Being part of the world’s ninth largest (will be third largest) economy, sixth superpower, seventh largest military spender and the guardian of Hinduism is more important to Tamil Nadu than separation. But at the same time they want a Tamil Nation that can represent Tamils at the UN and other international forums. That is why they need Tamil Elam – a puppet or suckling state of India which will be run by Tamil leaders who venerate Tamil Nadu politicians.
This is why India actively promotes Tamil Elam. Now it is no secret as India knows for sure Sri Lanka cannot mount any resistance against it. India’s continued tolerance of TESO and extreme Tamil racism in Tamil Nadu, imposition of 13A/demilitarisation/housing projects for Tamils are aimed at establishing it.
Rajiv Gandhi’s killing is irrelevant to India’s larger geopolitical interests. There is reason to believe the young unsophisticated Rajiv was actually a burden to India’s changing geopolitical interests at that time when the Cold War was ending and India had to draft a new foreign policy which it did with remarkable success. Since Rajiv, Indian leaders have been highly articulate and astute.
Dayan Jayatilaka’s naive India appeasing strategy won’t work as India is determined to create Tamil Elam to advance its geopolitical interests. The more the creation of Tamil Elam is delayed, the more the problems for India’s internal security and stability. As the two Tamil Nadu leaders come closer to their grave, their pressure on India increases to help create Tamil Elam which they claim is their last wish.
April 1st, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Many Catholics in the West have been brainwashed into thinking that all Sinhalese are Buddhists and that Tamils face persecution by the Buddhist controlled state. Also, Western Catholics are more likely to believe stories of “human rights abuse” in third world countries than non-Christian, atheist or secular Westerners. This was particularly so with political persecution of the poor in Latin American countries who went to the Church for protection (“issues of social justice”) and Catholics in rich Western countries feel guilty or are bound by religious conviction to oppose such persecution. Diaspora terrorists tapped into this sentiment. I have had umpteens of discussions and arguments with well-meaning but misinformed western Catholics. Nobe of this would have happened if the Sinhala Catholics were more outspoken about LTTE crimes. There is a Catholic Tamil priest inat least one Australian parish spreading misinformation and hatred against ALL Sinhalese, Catholic Sinhalese included. Buddhists, for their part must understand that the LTTE is not against Buddhism per se, they are first and foremost against the Sinhalese and the unitary state. They use attacks on Buddhism to rouse the Sinhalese into retaliating and becoming unpopular in the West because it has been identified as the most effective “passion trigger”. This is to show the world how “bad” the Sinhalese are. It is vital that Buddhists dont fall for Tamil separatists BAIT and get sidetracked into a religious divide against Sinhala Catholics or ordinary Christians anywhere in the world. It is vital that Sinhala Catholics stand together with Buddhists and defend Sri Lanka in the Vatican and the West – PASSIONATELY against LTTE lies and attacks. Unfortunately this is yet to happen.
April 1st, 2013 at 7:42 pm
“Biggest impediment to correctly handling India is the widespread myth that disintegration of Sri Lanka will lead to disintegration of India. Even highly respected persons including HL De Silva used to say so a decade ago. However, the truth today is different to this myth. Disintegration of Sri Lanka is actually the strengthening of India.”
– Dilrook is absolutely correct on this. Our politicians really need to start thinking flexibly and innovatively about protecting the Sri Lankan unitary state, rather than repeating useless mantras about protecting Indian unity. Indian unity is not our concern. Imagine if Pakistan and Bangladesh were sill part of India? The Indian threat to us would be even worse!
April 1st, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Voice123
“It is vital that Sinhala Catholics stand together with Buddhists and defend Sri Lanka in the Vatican and the West – PASSIONATELY against LTTE lies and attacks. Unfortunately this is yet to happen.”
This should be the correct thing to do. But for some mysterios reason those Cardinals and Bishops from Colombo to Chillow appear to have some thing against the Sinhalese (or Gosl). They are the once to lead the flock.
They have not raised any voice againts the northern catholic priests for their anti Sri Lanka campaigns as such what can we expect from them. At least now they should sort out the mess in churches in the north.
April 1st, 2013 at 10:06 pm
fine article, thank you
April 2nd, 2013 at 1:48 am
The least the Catholic leadership in the South can do is complain VOCIFEROUSLY about LTTE atrocities and racial statements made by northern clergy, and continuing Tamil racism perpetrated against non-Tamils in the name of religion. This should be taken up at the highest levels in the Vatican. Does anyone have an explanation for their silence? I certainly dont! Buddhists will make it easier if they advocate Sinhala unity with religious diversity, not a narrow Buddhist nationalism. This is what I have been saying all along and occasionally getting stomped on for saying it. Religion is not what this conflict is about. Dont take the LTTE bait. This will make it easier for southern Christians to speak out, whilst demanding that they speak out. Lorenzo, etc? Any comments?
April 2nd, 2013 at 4:02 am
Voice 123,
“Religion is not what this conflict is about” – Absolutely right !
All of Lanka (including Tamils who want peace here), should join in to stop Separatism.
April 2nd, 2013 at 4:17 am
Yes this is NOT about religion. This is about TAMIL RACISM.
Tamil Hindus, Tamil Muslims, Tamil Christians and Tamil Buddhists all support Tamil Elam (subject to some exceptions). It is Tamil that unifies them.
There are Sinhala Buddhists, Sinhala Christians and Sinhala Muslims BUT NO Sinhala Hindu. This is the result of STUPIDITY of our leaders.
IF Sinhala only was FORCED on Tamilians WITHOUT any escape, then today we can boast about Sinhala Hindus. Then Hindustan cannot be so NASTY to us.
April 2nd, 2013 at 4:35 am
CASTE WARS RE-IGNITE IN JAFFNA
Low caste Tamils getting ready to get married at the marriage hall at Aavarangkaal in Puththoor, Jaffna were attacked and chased away by Vellalar Tamils.
A book published in London by a Jaffna school principal demands Tamils RESTART caste discrimination.
Thereafter low caste angry Tamils attacked the attackers and burnt the copies of the racist book.
April 2nd, 2013 at 5:31 am
Lorenzo,
It certainly is a CASTE problem among Tamil people. Ultra controlled Low Castes/Dalit origin Tamils of Tamil Nadu are expected to stay poor and grovel before higher caste folk, and carry on with their ‘born to caste tasks’ (3,000 yrs old caste system).
The CASTE system is being used by interested parties to keep the Tamils apart and use them in various plots. The ‘divide & rule’ of Lanka is through the simmering Tamil Caste Wars.
————-
India is afraid of Caste based troubles in Tamil Nadu. Caste based troubles in TN are cloaked as ‘concern for Sri Lanka Tamils’. I think, among other reasons, that is why Delhi is being very lenient with Tamil Nadu at this particular time, with the UNHRC sniffing around India too. TN leaders are hiding their ineptness at handling Caste/poverty issues in TN under the cloak of ‘concern for Sri Lanka Tamils’.
If TN leaders undertook the Asian Games, that would have given a head start to dissolve Caste/poverty issues, put TN in the limelight internationally, plus bringing large funding into TN. Why did TN refuse the Asian Games unless it is in the hope of keeping the Caste fires burning with formation of TAmil Eelam, which TN leaders & TNA hope will expand Tamil Nadu southward. Formation of Eelam will only benefit Tamil Nadu, not the rest of India. Eelam Tamils will depend on Tamil Nadu, culturally and otherwise, and strengthen TN for breakaway purposes, but not benefit the rest of India.
In Sri Lanka, the issue to stop is SEPARATISM. Toward this end, remove the 13-A. Stop over dependance on Tamil Labor. Deport all Illegal Migrants, at least from the past 10 yrs. Bring in strong new Laws against Separatism & disallow Separatist politics & politicians, with severe punishment for those advocating Separatism. Also, reassure from time to time the impartial & friendly toward west, use of H’thota Harbor.
Secure the country from within ! Learn to play ‘International Chess’ well.
Securing India from within is what India is doing by mollycoddling TN leaders to stay within the Indian Union, at high costs to Sri Lanka.
April 2nd, 2013 at 5:59 am
I am reproducing below an article by Raj Gonsalkorale which explains Tamil Nadu politics very well :
Tamil Nadu interference in Sri Lankan politics will lead to the revival of secessionism in Tamil Nadu, and regional instability
Tue, 2013-04-02 08:57
By Raj Gonsalkorale
The Sri Lankan Tamil political issue has many parallels with the history of the Tamil or Dravidian nationalist issue in Tamil Nadu, and political leaders in Sri Lankan should be well advised to be cognizant with these parallels if they are to find ways and means of treading the political minefield this issue is, without harming the future well-being of all Sri Lankans.
The more contemporary history of the Dravidian issue in India has to be considered using the life and times of C N Annadurai to understand the dynamics of Tamil Nadu politics considering his status as the founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK), and for his part in supporting the idealism of political forces in Tamil Nadu for an independent State for the Dravidians. The writer is of the view that this idealism is the primary vote winner for any political party in Tamil Nadu (as it has been since the days of Annadurai), and unfortunately and dangerously, for Sri Lanka, it has become an ideal for Tamil Nadu politicians to chase elsewhere as it had not been achieved where a passive desire for it still exists, and has always existed.
We must contest more elections, win more seats and that way, win the confidence of the people; and when it is hot, we can strike and strike hard – C N Annadurai during the early days of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) formed in 1949
This idealism is as dangerous to Sri Lanka as it is to India, and beyond that, to regional security and stability as well. While some may argue that the writer’s theory is farfetched, it is nevertheless plausible considering the domino effect that could be set in motion due to events occurring in Tamil Nadu.
Firstly, it is undisputed that the Congress party, and no doubt the leading Opposition party, the BJP, will be wooing the DMK as well as the ADMK for votes in Tamil Nadu, and Rajya sabha members elected from the State to support either the Congress or the BJP to form a government in India after the next general election. It is very likely that both party will have enough seats to form a government on their own, and that they will have to rely on regional political parties as the Congress party has had to do in the current Parliament.
Considering that the Sri Lankan Tamil issue is now regarded as a key electoral issue in Tamil Nadu, the party that makes the biggest noise there on this issue and is seen to be taking the most drastic action against the government led by President Rajapaksa, will very likely win the most number of seats in the State Assembly and send the most number of members from Tamil Nadu to the National Parliament.
So, the competition to bash Sri Lanka will only intensify and not abate in Tamil Nadu unless both Sri Lanka and India takes some decisive strategic decisions.
As State governments have little direct leverage against an external sovereign government, they will have to exert whatever pressure against Sri Lanka through the Indian government. As it has been reported in the media, politics has entered the sports arena, and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms Jayalalitha has informed the Indian government that no Sri Lankan cricketers, officials or support staff will be permitted in Tamil Nadu during the next IPL tournament.
The relationship between the Tamil Nadu government (irrespective of whether it is a DMK or ADMK one) and Sri Lanka is bound to deteriorate further as the demands made by them on events surrounding the final battle against LTTE are mostly unattainable as they are both unreasonable and based on misinformation and emotion and not facts or objectivity.
Just to make the point about misinformation, two instances, amongst many, where this was evident was a shrill comment by a DMK Rajya Sabha member participant at an Indian NDTV program that no one can go to the North in Sri Lanka without permission from the Military and one cannot take any photographs without permission. The other comment was from someone who commented on an India Today feature that labelled the Indian government decision to support and vote for the UNHRC resolution as a mistake. The comment referred to a “one million” Armed Forces personnel in Sri Lanka occupying private homes, Kovils and Schools in the North and East of Sri Lanka.
Both remarks are incorrect. Anyone can go to any place in Sri Lanka and take any number of photographs except an area demarcated as a high security zone, and these zones have now shrunk to a bare minimum.
With regard to the second remark, Sri Lanka now has a total of 300,000 Armed Forces personnel (not one million), and these forces are deployed throughout the country, with only a reported 20,000 personnel in the North.
Listening or reading comments like this from responsible Tamil Nadu Indian persons leaves one with a conclusion that the general public there are unintelligent, which the writer firmly believes they are not, or they are acting out a script that is based on a deliberate strategy of misinformation and distortion of facts. This has to be the case as people from Tamil Nadu are not fools.
Come what may, it is clear that the DMK and the ADMK are vying for the Tamil Nadu vote irrespective of the consequences and repercussions that will follow between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, the Indian government and the Tamil Nadu government, and more disturbingly for Sri Lanka, between India and Sri Lanka. The politicians in Tamil Nadu probably do not realise the broader implications arising from this development, and the consequences for India, and the implications for the US led alliance that includes India, whose objective is to keep the Chinese in check.
What is therefore the ultimate consequence of the theatrics in Tamil Nadu? The creation of a strong foothold for China in Sri Lanka, and the establishment of an ability for China to be within striking distance to several military installations and military industries in the South of India. This will not be what Sri Lanka wishes for, but it will be the consequential opportunity provided to China due to the short sightedness of Indian (including Tamil Nadu) policy makers as China’s presence and influence in Sri Lanka is bound to grow, as Sri Lanka will have to rely on China to counter balance the void created by India in their bilateral and security relationship with Sri Lanka.
The Mattala International airport, the Hambantota harbour and several other projects financed by China, are bound to become cornerstones in a future security arrangement between China and Sri Lanka. India supported by the US, and pressured internally by Tamil Nadu, would have given China, the paradoxically hard to believe firm presence in India’s backyard.
C.N.Annadurai
There is little debate that C N Annadurai, or respectfully referred to as Anna, should bear the title of the father of Tamil Nadu for his contribution to the political evolution of this Dravidian State. The fact that more than an estimated 15 million people attended his funeral in 1969 (a Guinness book record), supports the view that he was a highly revered political figure in Tamil Nadu.
He enrolled as a member of the Dravida Kazhagam founded by his mentor Periyar E V Ramasamy, a proponent of an independent Dravida Nadu. During his days in Dravida Kazhagam, Annadurai had supported Periyar’s call for an independent Dravida Nadu. The DMK that Annadurai formed later had initially followed a political ideology identical to the mother party, Dravidar Kazhagam. But with the evolution of national politics and the constitution of India after the Sino – Indian war in 1963, Annadurai dropped the claim for an independent Dravida Nadu.
A committed Dravidian nationalist, Annadurai is also seen as a pragmatist who guided the State to accept and remain within the Union of India. He saw the gaining of independence as an overall achievement of India rather than solely that of Aryan North. Annadurai was also clearly a liberal minded person who saw the domination of Brahamins in national and regional politics as an anachronism in the evolving independent India.
His early interest in politics and his joining the South Indian Liberal Federation (S. I. L. F.) – popularly known as Justice party (formed by non Brahamin elites) 1935, demonstrated the liberal persona of the person. Periyar Ramasamy was the President of the Justice party at the time and he had renamed it as the Dravidar Kazhagam, with its central plank being the call for an independent Dravidian State, a stance that Annadurai eventually disagreed with.
The DMK that Annadurai formed appealed to the urban lower, lower middle and working classes, students, Dalits and lower castes, and he fought for the social justice of the lower. This political approach won Annadurai millions of supporters. Although in 1962, Annadurai said in the Rajya Sabha that Dravidians want the right of self-determination and we want a separate country for southern India. Giving in to realities, Annadurai and his DMK changed the call of independent Dravida Nadu for Dravidians to an independent Tamil Nadu for Tamils. At this time, the Sixteenth Amendment (most popularly known as the Anti-Secessionist Amendment) had banned any party with sectarian principles from participating in elections.
On the party’s position, Annadurai had said, To make the Dravidian state a separate state was our ideal. A situation has arisen where we can neither talk nor write about this ideal. Of course we can destroy the party by undertaking to violate the prohibition. But once the party itself is destroyed there will not be any scope for the ideal to exist or spread. That is why we had to give up the ideal. ”
Hindi was first recommended to be an apt language for official purposes in India by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru.in 1928. This move was opposed by people and politicians of Tamil Nadu, since they considered that it would make them second class citizens when compared to that of native Hindi speaking North Indians.
In 1938, the Congress government in the Madras Presidency headed by C Rajagopalachari (popularly known as Rajaji) proposed the use of Hindi language as a compulsory language in schools. This move was opposed by Tamil leaders. Annadurai, along with other Tamil activists held demonstrations against this proposal and he participated in the first Anti Hindi imposition conference held in Kanchipuram on the 27 February 1938. Two members of the protest, Thalamuthu and Natarajan, died as a consequence of police beating the same year. With overwhelming opposition, the government of Madras Presidency finally withdrew the order in 1940.
When India became a republic with its own constitution in 1950, the constitution had given special status to the Hindi language, which was to gain official status after 15 years in 1965. This move was regarded with anxiety by students in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking of making Hindi as official language of India, Annadurai said It is claimed that Hindi should be the common language because it is spoken by the majority. Why should we then claim the tiger as our national animal instead of the rat which is so much more numerous? Or the peacock as our national bird when the crow is ubiquitous?
In view of continued threat to impose Hindi, the DMK held an open-air conference against Hindi imposition in Chennai in August 1960, which Annadurai presided over. He gave black flags to leading functionaries, to be shown to the President of India during his visit to the state. Sensing an uprising, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru assured in the Parliament that English would continue to be the official language of India, as long as non-Hindi speaking people desire. DMK gave up the plan of showing black flags and Annadurai appealed to the Union Government to bring about a constitutional amendment incorporating the assurance.
With no constitutional amendment done, Annadurai declared 26 January 1965, the 15th Republic Day of India and also the day the Constitution, which in essence enshrined Hindi as the official language of India, came into practice, as a day of mourning. Violence broke out on 26 January, initially in Madurai which within days spread throughout the state. With violence surging, Annadurai asked the students to forfeit the protests, but some DMK leaders like Karunanidhi kept the agitations going. Nevertheless, Annadurai was arrested for instigating the agitation. Although the violence was not directly instigated by the DMK, the agitation itself aided DMK to win the 1967 elections and Annadurai became new the Chief Minister of Madras State.
Annadurai legalised what are called self- respect marriages for the first time in the country. Such marriages were void of priests to preside over the ceremony and thus did not need a Brahmin to carry out the wedding. Annadurai was also the first to use subsidising of the price of rice for election victory. He promised one rupee a measure of rice, which he initially implemented once in government, but had to withdraw later. Subsidising rice costs are still used as an election promise in Tamil Nadu.
Another major achievement of Annadurai’s government was to introduce a two language policy over the then popular three language policy. The three language formula, which was implemented in the neighbouring states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, entitled students to study three languages: the regional language, English and Hindi.
On 10 September 1968 Annadurai travelled to New York for medical treatment. He was operated for Cancer in the gullet. He returned to Chennai in November and continued to address several official functions against medical advice. His health deteriorated further and he died on 3 February 1969. His cancer was attributed to his habit of chewing tobacco. His funeral had the highest number of attendees until then, and an estimated 15 million people attended it.
The magazine India Today has listed Annadurai in its “Top 100 people who shaped India by thought, action, art, culture and spirit”.
Annadurai’ s Tamil constituency in the state of Tamil Nadu is now divided between the DMK, the party he founded, and the ADMK, the breakaway group founded by film star M G Ramachandran, and now led by current Chief Minister Jeyaram Jayalalitha, herself a former film star and close associate of M G Ramachandran.
To rephrase India Today’s assessment of Annadurai, it may be said that he shaped Tamil consciousness and Tamil nationalism more than any other person in the epicentre of the Tamil world, Tamil Nadu.
Sri Lankans, especially the Sinhala and Muslim communities may justifiably ask what this has got to do with them, as they would feel, again very justifiably, that the Tamil nation, if there were to be one, should be in Tamil Nadu, and not in the island of Sri Lanka considering its more recent as well as its ancient history. After all, a Jewish state exists only in Israel, not in the USA or any other place although Jewish people live in many parts of the world.
The sensitiveness of the Sri Lankan Tamil issue in Tamil Nadu however cannot be and should not be discounted purely as politicking amongst two parties bickering for votes. While it is true that bickering indeed is taking place, one should not forget that such bickering is happening because the issue finds resonance amongst many in Tamil Nadu on account of the shared cultural and linguistic links amongst Tamils irrespective of where they live.
Having said this, Tamil Nadu and India has to accept that the conflict in Sri Lanka will be addressed and resolved in a manner appropriate for Sri Lanka by Sri Lankans, and not by Tamil Nadu or India or for that matter any other country.
If this reality is not accepted by all political parties in Tamil Nadu, and only by the Union government, it is very likely that this issue will get internalised and the people of Tamil Nadu will begin seeing the Union government as their enemy in not pushing Sri Lanka to go as far as granting full autonomy to the North and East of Sri Lanka.
This is not fanciful thinking as some politicians in Tamil Nadu, both from the DMK and the ADMK, have already begun voicing such sentiments.
While it is true that the Union government of India should not allow domestic politics to affect its relationship with Sri Lanka, it would be rather foolhardy to imagine it would not in this instance, as the stakes for any central government of India are very high on account of this issue.
In this context, Sri Lanka should work with the Indian government and the Indian Opposition, as well as the Tamil Nadu political establishment, their government as well as the Opposition, to ensure emotions do not override rational, objective thinking on repercussions that would follow if the Tamil issue in Tamil Nadu, which has a link to the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka, is not handled both with sensitivity, and strategically.
Something that the Indian government has failed to do is to organise a visit to Sri Lanka by a multiparty delegation from Tamil Nadu, media representatives, and civil society representatives, to see for themselves the negatives as well as the positives on the post war rehabilitation and reconciliation effort in Sri Lanka, and how India could cooperate with the Sri Lankan political establishment to advance the many efforts that have already been taken.
Sri Lanka has not denied that more needs to be done, but they have rightly stated that efforts have been made to advance reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation. In fact this has been confirmed by several delegations that visited Sri Lanka including a national parliamentary delegation from India.
India and Tamil Nadu are treading on dangerous grounds by attacking Sri Lanka, not because Sri Lanka can launch any counter attacks, but because of the broader repercussions that may follow if Sri Lanka is forced to lean even closer to China to provide it security in the hostile environment that Tamil Nadu is creating in the region.
It is time the current Indian government sat down with the Opposition parties at national level as well as with political parties in Tamil Nadu to repair the dents in the relationship between India and Sri Lanka as a consequence of the UNHRC vote that India supported.
It is also time that all political parties in Sri Lanka, not just the governing party, expedited inter community reconciliation efforts, especially between the Sinhala and Tamil communities by being better engaged and arriving at a realistic plan for a reconciliation program within a realistic time frame. Another important factor here is the need for Sri Lankan Tamil political parties to keep this issue out of Tamil Nadu and not add fuel to the fire as they would be doing a disservice to the very constituency they are claim they are fighting for in Sri Lanka if they export this internal issue for other benefits.
Besides this, it is also time that the people of Sri Lanka realised and accepted that reconciliation is not just a government responsibility although one accepts that the government should provide the leadership to advance reconciliation and to move it to a wider, more representative forum so that there will be greater ownership of the reconciliation effort.
– Asian Tribune –
April 2nd, 2013 at 9:02 am
Buddha Dhamma is very different from other – creator god -. faith based- religions. buddhists dont . believe a creator. Those who believe a creator god do not like science or buddha dhamma because they deny their devine god. but they cant ignore science in this present world .so they learn science. most sinhala christians prefer a western kind of luxurious life which is against buddhist middle path. only very few inteligent christians–EX.. rev.. mersalin Jayakody— liked the sinhala way of life.
so no wonder they dont go against ta mil christians. scientists and athiestsirrespective of the nationality were killed by the church because of blind faith.THEY HATE BUDDHIST KAALAAMA SUTRA
Islamists are more vicious tyrants than others
Same way capitalists do not like the simple life style prescribed by the buddha dhamma
April 2nd, 2013 at 1:07 pm
None of the -isms, going solo, works for any society. It has been so proven in the world.
What seems to work better is a combination of economic theory, together with higher ideas such as in religion or philosophy.
Questions : What people look for is a sense of security, a sense of growth, happiness (at least some of the time) & some contentment, a sense of self acceptance & some acceptance by others, a little kindness and understanding from society ?
How much of this can be addressed by any government, anywhere ? How much is left to the individual to develop ?
April 2nd, 2013 at 3:03 pm
“Buddha Dhamma is very different from other – creator god -. faith based- religions. buddhists dont . believe a creator. Those who believe a creator god do not like science or buddha dhamma because they deny their devine god. but they cant ignore science in this present world .so they learn science. most sinhala christians prefer a western kind of luxurious life which is against buddhist middle path. only very few inteligent christians–EX.. rev.. mersalin Jayakody— liked the sinhala way of life.”
Senivirath, I agree with what you say about middle path being the foundation of the traditional Sinhala lifestyle. But are you saying only born and bred Sinhala Buddhists are true Sinhalese? If so, you are then in the company of Eelamists! That is wrong. Are all those that believe in a creator god “unintelligent”? Some people have “blind faith” yet science has not disproven the existence of a higher, universal intelligence, known as god to some. Science is not the same as the Dharma. Didnt the Buddha not deny the existence of a creator god? Didnt he say it was not necessary to believe in a creator god to attain enlightenment? Does this equate to saying those who believe in a god are unintelligent?
I know some Christians, Sri Lankans and otherwise who prefer a “middle path” lifestyle, only they do not describe it as middle-path. Some Christians who have studied Buddhism agree with the middle path and are impressed with the depth of its teaching. On the other hand, I also have very personal experience of some Sinhala Buddhists putting wealth, career and social status above everything else and at the sane time claiming to be good Buddhists. Have you ever heard of the Christian parable of the camel and the eye of the needle? If you havent, look it up. The old established Christian churches, Catholic, Anglican, Russian Orthodox etc all teach that wealth is an obstacle to spiritual growth. Christian monks and religious take the vow of poverty.
I think you are thinking of American based evangelical fundamentalist Christianity or Zionist Christianity. These are new forms of Christianity that are intolerant of other religions, seek conversion through money ventures, encourage mindless money making and are promoted by the neocons. They are recognised as a threat to traditional Christianity. They are the Christian version of “Wahabists”.