DMK today strongly criticised Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for ruling out greater political autonomy for Tamils, saying India should at least “wake up” now and help secure their livelihood and democratic rights.
“Rajapaksa has failed to honour the promise given to India and other global organisations for long on granting political autonomy with the latest announcement which should be condemned,” DMK chief M. Karunanidhi said in a statement.
Addressing the island nation’s 65th Independence Day celebrations on Monday, the Sri Lankan President had ruled out greater political autonomy for Tamils, saying ethnicity-based division was “not practical” as people live together in unity and there were no racial or religious differences.
“It has become historically evident that none of the promises made on behalf of the Sinhalese to the Tamils have been fulfilled,” Karunanidhi said.
“Knowing the true intentions of Rajapaksa, India should at least wake up now and with the help of the international organisations, protect Sri Lankan Tamils, their livelihood and democratic rights”, he said.
Keywords: DMK hits out at Sri Lanka President for ruling out autonomy for Tamils, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, Karunanidhi urges India to protect rights of Sri Lankan Tamils, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse
Comments:
I doubt if 'The Hindu' would publish this comment: However, here I
go..
Tamil speaking people are scattered all over Sri Lanka(living very
happily) including in Colombo, where they are the majority. So, what's
the rationale behind this call for autonomy? What about the upcountry
Tamils? And for whose sake is this Autonomy? Tamil Nadu politicians
seem to have run out of winning agendas to offer to it's polity and
chosen to ignite hatred of it's Tamils against Sri Lanka. This is so
unreasonable and will eventually backfire on India's very unity.
Besides, you have no right whatsoever to dictate what Sri Lanka should
or should not do; no matter what the matter be.
If you think Tamils are yours, invite them to your country and see how
many of Tamils will go there.
Typical of a megalomaniacal autocratic President in a bigoted racist and religious state under the rule of the PTA. His attitude reflects the intransigent state with an ethnic military sans the rule of law, justice and with complete disregard to, if not contempt of, the 13th Constitutional Amendment! Since India has failed and even been snubbed by SL the only recourse lies in action under international law under the UN Charter because of war crimes and heinous crimes against humanity committed by the SL state under that President's command and responsibilty. All Tamil Nadu leaders have voiced their strong support for such action.
Livelyhood and democratic rights of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, who make up only 5% of the world Tamil population, are as good or as bad as those of the other SriLankans, like the Sinhalese, Muslims, Burghers, Indian Tamils, Malays etc. In fact the so called lower caste Tamils also have equal rights unlike in Tamilnadu. The Tamils around the world need to wake up and demand equal rights for all Tamils in Tamilnadu.
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