Seeking to rebut criticism that he had dropped the demand for a separate ‘Tamil Eelam’, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday said he would seek to realise his life dream with the help of like-minded people in the future, and the conference he presided over here was only akin to administration of first aid to the “wounded and bleeding” Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
“I am asked why there is no reference to ‘Eelam’ at the conference. My explanation is: our first priority is to dressing the wounds suffered by the Tamils. Following this, within my lifetime, I will struggle with you to realise my dream with all of you,” he told the Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO) conference held at the YMCA Ground, Royapettah here.
In a resolution, the conference said that as a country protecting a number of nationalities, India could not remain silent on the “undemocratic developments” in Sri Lanka. It demanded that India move a resolution in the United Nations for bestowing full rights on the Tamil community in the island to decide their own political future. “Can there be a better resolution than this that will put effective pressure on India?” Mr. Karunanidhi asked.
The resolution said: “India should, therefore, take necessary steps to ensure a total change of environment in Sri Lanka and a life of equality and peace to the Sri Lankan Tamils by redeeming their political, economic and cultural rights.”
The conference, in which no Sri Lankan Tamil political leader participated, asked the Union government to refrain from providing training to the Sri Lankan military in future in any state.
The meet began at the YMCA Ground here as planned after the Madras High Court gave the go-ahead despite a police order denying permission.
With the portrait of the S.J.V. Chelvanayagam, better known as Thanthai Selva, the Sri Lankan federalist, who first demanded a separate ‘Eelam’, adorning the venue where thousands assembled, the TESO conference began with a troupe singing a song Iruttaraiyil ullathada Eelam, angey elumbukoodaai irukkindraane Tamilan (‘Darkness envelopes Eelam, while the Tamilian languishes like a bag of bones’) penned by DMK president M. Karunanidhi.
14 resolutions passed
Representatives from various countries participated in the conference, which passed 14 resolutions, none of which raised the ‘Tamil Eelam’ demand, but leaders such as Thol Thirumavalavan, president of the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), were vociferous in the demand and wanted Mr. Karunanidhi to achieve the goal in his lifetime.
A resolution accused the ruling AIADMK of being anti-Tamil Eelam in its attitude and condemned the hurdles it placed in the way of the conduct of the conference.
Keywords: TESO conference, Eelam issue, Sri Lankan Tamils, Karunanidhi, Tamil rights, Tamil Nadu politics, diplomatic relations
The highlight of the TESO meet was the plain and honest talk by Sri lankan delegate-Vickramabahu Karunarathne,who truly represented the sentiments of the Sinalese and the Tamils as well.Sri lanka can be safe at the hands of men like him.He cited the DMK chief,the India government and President Rajapaksa all were equally responsible for the present state of affairs in his country.Tamils can live in peace with their fellow singalese as we do here in India,provided Singala leaders follow the tenets of Lord Budha faithfully and honestly.we in India wish for a united and strong Sri lanka,where all peoples live in peace and friendship like else where in countries of multi racial,multilingual and multi cultural diversities.Men like him should mould public opinion among singalese for a United Sri lanka with equal rights for all,else should help the Tamils to go free,if equal accommodation is not possible.Congratulations to him for telling us the truth about their respective roles in war.
For years Tamil people's sentiments have been used and abused. We will
never learn and fall for the same tactics again and again.
Mr.M.K.your party is a part of UPA government,why they have failed to
take serious attempts to solve and help the tamil people,what has
happened to the money given to srilanka government to rebuild the
affected homes,first aid period has already over,try next step,no use in
having conference.
Congrats to one & all who ensured the conduct of the conference under heavy odds & various hindrances..!! It was quite a surprise to note that the venue which was earlier used for various Pop/Rock shows, was not made available gracefully, for a justified cause, thus seeking recourse to intervention by Judiciary to get the clearance..!!
India is supposed to be a democracy with division of powers which
provides checks and balances.Hence I failed to understand why the
Centre meaning the Executive decidesas what should be a matter for the
judge to decide.
Wondering what Karunanidhi was doing when the ethnic cleansing took
place in SL when he was the CM of Tamil Nadu? He is a astute Political
leader that tries to gain mileage when not in power. Cheap stunt by DMK.
I am really questioning his commitment! What has been done to improve
the lives of refugees from SL?
The Teso conference held in Chennai YMCA ground is a great success for the cause of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Mr. Karuanidi has achieved a crowning victory by spearheading this conference exactly as he had planned , inspite of the mounting opposition that he faced both from the state and the central Govts.
Atleast now the Sri Lankan Tamils should realize who is strong enough to help them. This conference has had a poweful impact for the cause of the Ceylon Tamils both nationally and globally.
It was schocking in a democratic country like India for the Cetral Govt. to lay a condition that the word" Ellam" should not be used . But the top leaders of the nation realized their mistake and withdrew that senseless conition .But I would suggest that DMK should soon find out who gave such an 'order' and make that concerned officer to appologize.
David Manickam
Congratulation to TESO organisers for successfully conducted the Meet without any untoward incidents.All the 12 resolutions passed in the Meet need to be addressed to the Central Government to enable to forward them to the UN.To complete this process,the 19 MPs in the parliament should exert pressure and fix a time frame to implement them.A mere passing of resolutions will not help even to win a local body election,not to speak of any bye election to the State or next lok Sabha election.Now the DMK added more weight to it and it is the burden of the party,not to be collapsed by its own weight.All are appreciative of his roles in three previous terms,but miserably failed during his last third and fourth term as CM of Tamilnadu.Address of the Singalese delegate Nava samaja party Karunaratne is very significant and he had offered some useful tips to the DMK to find the elements that are responsible for the present disaster in Sri Lanka.He is the only person touched the core subject.
Congratulations to all. The oppressed Tamils all over the World need our
support. Whatever we do politically is a support to all the oppressed
Tamils in the World.
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