Protests mar Sri Lankan President visit
By Express News Service - CHENNAI
09th February 2013 07:41 AM
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Black Friday: M Karunanidhi during a sit-in protest against Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa’s visit in the city on Friday. | Express Photo
A string of protests rocked the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu on Friday against the visit of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa to Tirupati with the principal opposition, the DMK, leading a sit-in agitation in the state capital under the banner of Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO).
Denouncing the Lankan government’s move to rename several Tamil villages in the island nation in Sinhala, DMK chief M Karunanidhi told the protestors that the aim of renaming the villages was to wipe out Tamil race. “Srirangam used to be Thiruvarangam. It was changed and the ‘Sri’ sneaked in. Thiruvilliputhur was our Tamil name, which was changed to Srivilliputhur,” said Karunanidhi, adding a few more examples. “Just as the enemies of our race inserted that north Indian ‘Sri’ in our names, Rajapaksa is renaming Tamil villages in Sinhala,” he added.
Elsewhere in the city, a slew of protests were held by several outfits where over 400 persons took part, burning effigies of Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Lankan flag.
Naam Tamilar Party members conducted a mock funeral of Rajapaksa marching towards the Lankan Deputy Mission on Kothari Road, where police stopped them. Thirty people were
arrested.
The Tamilar Ezhuchi Iyakkam members blocked one lane of traffic on Anna Salai for about 30 minutes and burnt effigies of Rajapaksa and Manmohan Singh.
In T.Nagar, the Tamilar Munnetra Kalagam members led by Adhiyaman attempted to close down the Tirumala Tirupati Devsathanam. Nearly 80 members of Makkal Viduthalai Katchi and the New Justice party were arrested when they attempted lay a siege to the Lankan Deputy Mission. The CPI, led by State secretary D Pandian, protested in front of Loyola College.
While reports of effigy burning and road blockade were received from every nook and corner of the state, members of Viduthalai Chiruthaikkal Katchi, Naam Tamilar Katchi, Tamil Desa Poduvudamai Katchi and Shiva Sena attempted to block trains in some places. They were arrested. Even students and lawyers joined the protests at several places.
In Tirumala and Tirupati, policemen had a tough time rounding up protestors as they arrived in the droves.
Sources said nearly 7,000 security personnel were deployed all around the Tirumala shrine.
Posters of Rajapaksa appeared in Tirupati depicting him as Adolf Hitler and Ravanasura. At Urban Hut, protesters garlanded Rajapaksa posters with slippers.
In New Delhi, MDMK Chief Vaiko and his supporters were arrested when they tried to march towards PM’s residence - 7 Race Course Road - from Jantar Mantar in the national capital.
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Comments(8)
IF Sri Lankan Tamils dont like 'Sri' in Sri Lanka they know what they can do. GET OUT ! Still it seems that Sri Lankan Tamils rather die in a boat in the mid seas than come to their 'Home land' their eeelam the Tamil Nadu. Wonder WHY ? Is it poverty or unhygienic roads and railway lines (used as toilets). Tamil Nadu Tamils dont have that choice. They dont have any other place to go. Naam thamilan or Tesso, learn to put up with the North Inbdian Sri. You have no other choice.
Posted by Sepala at 02/09/2013 13:32 Reply to this Report abuse
Mr karunanidhi and thirumavalavan should see the fate of tamils in india itself. karnataka is not giving water to tamils. Even supreme court and the central government is against tamils in all fields, be it water, electricity. Ask miss jayalalithaa, she will tell how tamils are treated as 3rd class citizens. Go to thinniyam, usilampatti. there are two different tumblers to drink water for tamils. Tamilians are forced to eat the faeces, human excreta, forced to drink urine. This is tamil nadu. Why go outside and help tamils. First you save your own blood in your own country. Teso, vaiko all these are political comedies. Rajapakshe came, had a red carpet welcome at bihar, and went back successfully, just put back all your opposition under his foot, thanks for manmohan singh's karunanidhi supported government. People are watching your double standard cheap politics. This might have occurred due to your old age or infight in the party cadres.
Posted by mackie noohuthambi, kayalpatnam at 02/09/2013 22:49 Reply to this Report abuse
It is unfortunate that the Indian government has spread the red carpet for Rajapaksha. When a large section of the country is aggrieved by the way Srilanka conducted the war against its Tamils, the Indian government needs to show more empathy and sensitivity in its foreign policy. But I for one am not surprised as we have seen time again that India's foreign policy is based on the principle that Punjab's enemy is India's enemy and Punjab's friend is India's friend. Unfortunately, the rest of India seems not to care as they are more fixated on Bollywood and cricket.
Posted by Rajan at 02/10/2013 06:10 Reply to this Report abuse
The Sinhalese are originally from Bengal. The Tamils have been in Sri Lanka for 2,000 years. North Sri Lanka is Tamil and has been for centuries. They had their separate kingdom since 1215 AD. It will remain so. East Timor got its independence 25 years after the Indonesians killed one third of its population. Rajapakse is a ruthless and cynical demogogue. His visit to Bodh Gaya was a stunt. There was nothing spiritual about it. And his visit to Tirupathi was similar. This said, Karunanidhi is no different. Rather than such antics, he could force the ruling UPA to do something tangible by threatening to quit - which he would not dare do. He too is a charlaton given to gimmicks.
Posted by Sri Lankan at 02/10/2013 06:51 Reply to this Report abuse
Your perspective on the Srilankan Tamils issue is absolutely right. Unfortunately, not many people in India are aware of the historical basis of the Elam struggle. Most think that the Srilankan Tamils are emigrants who went to work in the Tea plantations during colonial rule, although a small number did go like they went to Malaysia. I doubt if even Manmohan Singh and the civil servants in the Ministry of Foreign affairs in New Delhi know the history behind this issue. Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha use the Tamils as pawns in their quest for power and money. One can hardly expect them to do anything more than put on a brave front.
Posted by Rajan at 02/11/2013 01:29 Reply to this Report abuse
The Sinhalese are originally from Bengal. The Tamils have been in Sri Lanka for 2,000 years. North Sri Lanka is Tamil and has been for centuries. They had their separate kingdom since 1215 AD. It will remain so. East Timor got its independence 25 years after the Indonesians killed one third of its population. Rajapakse is a ruthless and cynical demogogue. His visit to Bodh Gaya was a stunt. There was nothing spiritual about it. And his visit to Tirupathi was similar. This said, Karunanidhi is no different. Rather than such antics, he could force the ruling UPA to do something tangible by threatening to quit - which he would not dare do. He too is a charlaton given to gimmicks
Posted by Sri Lankan at 02/10/2013 06:52 Reply to this Report abuse