The controversial “Mullivaikkal Memorial” (Mullivaikkal Ninaivu Mutram), a private monument built in memory of Tamils who had sacrificed their lives in the past, was declared open by P. Nedumaran, president of Ulaga Thamizhar Peramaippu, here on Wednesday.
The memorial was inaugurated after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court gave permission on Tuesday.
As the repeated representations to police for permission to open the memorial and protection to conduct functions at the venue for three days from November 8 to 10 failed to yield any result, a petition was filed before the Bench, said Nalladurai, an advocate. The court, which heard the petition on Monday, directed the taluk police to give permission for the inauguration.
Mr. Nedumaran said a meeting would be held on November 8 in the memorial venue and Tamil leaders from world over would address the meeting. “The memorial has been built with the help of Tamils living across the world. This is one of a unique art works built with toil for more than three years,” Mr. Nedumaran said.
The memorial has sculptures depicting those who died in Mullivaikkal in Sri Lanka, migration of Tamils and those living as refugees. The memorial also has photos of Tamil poets, leaders and activists who contributed to Tamil and Tamil cause both in Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka. The memorial has been built on a private land at Vilar.
