Tamil 'Eelam' is for Tamil Nadu politicians what the full moon is for hungry wolves. All their howling is indicative, not of any yearning for a distant, dreamy Eelam, but of the baser urges of the politics of the here-and-now. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who heads the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a prominent constituent of the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, gave a call last week for the creation of a separate nation for Tamils in Sri Lanka, on the lines of Montenegro, South Sudan, East Timor and Kosovo. Far from forcing the Sri Lankan government into reaching a settlement on devolution of powers to the minority Tamils, Mr. Karunanidhi appears to have further aided the politicisation of this sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu. Political parties in the State have quite rightly looked up to the United Nations as the instrument to ensure the political and economic rights of the Sri Lankan Tamils. In no small measure, pressure from the parties in the State contributed to the shaping of India's stand on the recent resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. But to suggest that the U.N. conduct a referendum for the division of Sri Lanka on ethnic lines can only have the effect of prompting the Mahinda Rajapaksa government to resist all international efforts to speed up the peace and reconciliation process. Unreasonable demands and suggestions articulated on their behalf will achieve little other than worsening an already bad situation for the Sri Lankan Tamils.
In any case, Kosovo or Montenegro, South Sudan or East Timor is not comparable to Sri Lanka. But then Mr. Karunanidhi was only looking for instances of new nations formed on the basis of referendums or external intervention, and not seeking to make a cogent case for the resolution of Tamil grievances in Sri Lanka. In 2000, the model of political division he cited was that of Czechoslovakia, which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Mr. Karunanidhi's words, this was “separation without bloodshed”, a peaceful resolution of a conflict in a country with sharp divisions. However, instead of making loud noise to no purpose in Tamil Nadu, the DMK leader would do well to raise the Sri Lankan Tamils issue with the Centre, quietly or otherwise, and help in the formulation of a foreign policy approach that can yield quick results for the long-suffering Tamils in the island while preserving the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. For good reasons, India has a firm position on seeking a solution within a united Sri Lanka. Political parties in Tamil Nadu should see the sense behind this.
Keywords: LTTE, Sri Lankan Tamils, Mahinda Rajapaksa
Well Said thamby...its the politics and politicians who always creates
issue out of nothing just for their selfish interest without thinking of
common man.They always dose us and we the foolish always follow their
words blindly...I request to the politicians, Please stop this selfish
game and start thinking about how better you can make common people's
life other than making them worse...If not then atlest don't do politics
that will also be a great help to the nation...
.. Yes ,there was a time when the Congress desparately needed the support of DMk & Karunanidhi to be in power in the center. There were several DMk & Congress Central ministers who were part of the Cabinet Decisons. Those ministers wouldn't have moved their fingers without the approval of DMK ,considered & self -proclaimed as World Leader of Tamils. What this Karuna was doing when thousands of innocent Lankan Tamils were brutally murdered except enacting dramas [ he is a script writer & knows well to dodge situations ] ? Why he kept quiet ? Why his daughter posed so nicely with Rajapakse accepting his gifts ? Karuna was alright in wiping out LTTE but what these Tamils [including Invalids ,children ,women etc ] did except forced to act by LTTE ?? Now this man sheds crocodile tears for tamils who are living in peace / They sleep without the noise of guns . So ,the real intention of Karuna is to subjugate the remaining Tamils to live in misery while Karuna could enjoy wealth& & power.
India cant take a stand on this issue and yet cant remain neutral. Whatever we do both Eelam tamils ans Sinhalese will hate us. Tamil nadu have been made the scapegoat for all their problems. As the saying goes, Damned if we do and damned if we dont.
I read The Hindu since my college days. I am 62 now and live in USA. I very rarely differed with this newspapers views. I now strongly disagree with this editorial. The Srilankan regimes right from 1947 have made hundreds of promises to peace loving Tamil leaders and broke them every time, signed several agreements and never implemented them. There were several organized and barbaric attacks on innocent Tamils which were never investigated and the culprits were never punished. 17 French social workers were shot dead in cold blood, no tangible investigation. Ragiv Gandhi was assaulted by a Srilankan navy man, he was never punished. They have promised to implement 13 amendment plus but nothing happened. There were secret promises to India and America and got help to finish LTTE. Once LTTE is finished they got back to their old tricks and want to keep the Tamils subjugated forever. TAMIL EALAM is the only option left. Sinhalese regimes understand only the language of the guns.
Right on Hindu. It is time to call a spade, a spade. Politics in Tamilnadu has done a huge disservice to the Tamil cause in Srilanka. It is totally unhelpful for Karunanidhi to call for a separate a State, when International pressure is forcing Colombo to deal with the plight of the Tamils. Comparisons with Kosovo are not valid because there were no Tigers killing thousands of Tamils and Sinhalese. India has a significant voice in Colombo and it should continue to influence actions by Rajapaksha,ignoring the theatrics of Tamil actors in Chennai
Tamil Nadu and India for that matter has nothing else to do but to hang on to Sri Lanka in order to divert attention of near destitute majority Tamil Naduans and Indians as a whole from fulfilling the dire needs - education, health care, sanitaion and decent accommodation. Jayalalitha has so much to do rather than worrying about Sri Lankans.
Dear Sir ,I can agree with a part of this editorial where you are calling the bluff of people like Karunanidhi.You could have included some more ,whom I donot intend to name here.Eelam at the most or a regional council under a united SriLanka has all been lost due to the obduracy of Prabhakaran,who was always kept simmerring by the bad counsels of Tamilnadu leaders who have no understanding of how new nations are created.You have quoted the example of Kosovo,South Sudan and East Timor and whatever happened in Eelam from a along time back happened there also.Still,why not even a regional council could be got in SriLanka when Chandrika Kumaratunga was prepared to grant even more? Because Prabhakaran forgot the purpose of his stuggle and failed to grab opportunities provided by circumstances.
Most Tamils who speak so vociferously about discrimination , oppression .suppression do not live in Sri Lanka . Not visited Sri Lanka even once in their lifetime . This would be blatantly visible during the protests in the UK, USA and other western countries.They talk of genocide . mass killings , conjure up horrifc crimes about Tamils , yet remain silent on all the wealthy Tamils and tamil politcians ,in SL. They know how to play to the gallery while enjoying all the luxuries in western countries.
Well put, Editor. One cannot identify the Tamil politicians's motives when they have failed miserably even to fulfill their allegiance to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Nice Justifications!Kosovo,Czech & Sudan cannot be compared to Srilanka because they are Non-Asian Nations.pooh!I dont understand how people conveniently build such Cases.However here I do not defend or favor the creation of Tamil Eelam.Let me remember that entire world knows that how unarmed Tamil civilians are brutally massacred by Sinhalese Army under the guise of operations against LTTE.One should think that a State that went to an extent of unleashing its Military Force against its citizens can ever work for their welfare or interests?All those who speak volumes for resolution with in the realms of united Lanka should get back to the roots of the conflict.Tamils were denied basic rights and the Govt that is supposed to work towards it openly denied.Worst is the Sinhala dominated Govt cannot bear the development of Tamils with the resources and capacity of their own which prompted them to sow the seeds of hatredness further to an extent of going to ethnic genocide.
Hope your wise counsel would prvail over the flippant stance of leaders. Karunanidhi's 'here and now' Elam dream smacks of separatism if not subversiness. The instant need is the amelioration of the sufferings and miseries of Sri Lankan Tamils.
All political leaders in tamilnadu only like to cash in on the confused state existing in Sri Lanka. It is UPA that has loosened india's control over srilanka. They are sole responsible. And DMK that makes an attempt to clean its slate now was a key partner of UPA and condoned all the mistakes to wipe out tamilians from sri lanka. It is Ethnic Cleansing. Now the same DMK proclaims to have a separate nation in sri lanka. It is a wonderful dual role. His colours are faded. No more life.
In that "HOWL" by the "wolf" we hear the meaning: "I have no sense of what I can do to improve the lives of Tamil Nadu people, but I am desperate for their votes!" Such is the so called last unrealised dream of a bankrupt politician. Destroy the lives of people of another jurisdiction, and play the race card at home for cheap votes. What has the "wolf" done to improve education (illiteracy is rampant)? What has the "wolf" done to improve industry and trade (poverty is rampant)? What has the "wolf" done to improve sanitation, health and nutrition (lifespans are short due to lack of such), etc.? What has the "wolf" done to facilitate moving the bureaucracy that prevents TN persons serving prison sentences in Sri Lanka being moved to TN prisons (so that thier families can visit them)? He does nothing to serve the TN people; consider all these before voting him again.
We Sinhalese like Mr Karunanithi's outburst for he is not hiding his true aim like TNA hypocrites. My question is what he would say of the fact that most Tamils (54%) live in the south among Sinhalese. Needless to say; that is more than all the Tamils in the North and East put together. Moreover Tamils now form the majority in Colombo as well. Pray, tell us how Eelam to North or Police and Land power to North would solve the so-called that 54% Tamils being discriminated? Just like the Diaspora lot DMK and AiADMK and all other DK parties should keep cheering for Eelam from rooftops in Tamil Nadu. We love it for we could stay united.
Due to poor media exposure on Improvement of Tamil affairs by Rajapakse administration, the common platform and reputation against the Island is tarnishing and Politicians in Tamil Nadu living on Tamil grievances more than pathetic issues in own state. Sri Lankan Government should expose, what they have done to North & East of the Island, giving proven evidence, at least to the knowledge of Indians or people of Tamil Nadu without delay.
People of Tamil Nadu always welcome in Sri Lanka with a request to visit North & East, to witness actual
The media and the center in India are blind to the reality. They have been so in the past to the present. India is the biggest stumbling block to a settlement in Sri Lanka. Tamilnadu politicians wants to keep it as their beggers wound which allows them to make center dance to their tune. So,as long as the center dance to the Tamilnadu tune they will not allow this problem to be solved. Today TNA only has to go to the PSC and accept 13A without police and land powers to establish a nothern provincial council. But they won't do that,not because land and police powers make all the difference,but then they lose the most powerful tool 'The Tamil problem' to dominate the scene and they will have to get down and start to work for the people which they have never done before. The US and Indian pampering of the TNA is the main reason they refuse to come to the PSC and work out a solution. That's not to say PC is a solution, but it will allow the people to get on with their lives.
How about a seperate state for the people of Kashmir? What about the war crimes committed agains the Muslims in Gujarat 10 years ago? What about the terrible corruption of the politicians in Tamil Nadu, looting the public? The Indian Government has enough issues to deal with without having to worry about someone else's backyard. How about a seperate country for the Tamils in Tamil Nadu? Then, maybe they can offer citizenship to all Sri Lankan Tamils to settle down in Tamil Nadu. I seriously doubt if anyone would take up that offer. The wealthy and the educated Tamils in Sri Lanka are doing just fine. Its the poor that need help, be they Tamil, Sinhalese, Muslim, or any other ethnicity.
"There is no ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka but only a terrorist conflict." This insightful phrase was uttered by a Sri Lankan Prime Minister over 20 years ago. If one looks around the Isand one finds, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, members of all races living together in perfect peace and amity unless some politician comes in and upsets the equilibrium. Now this has been happening for years. We find Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims. Burghers and members of all races working together, playing together, and praying together when they belong to the same religion. Tamils worked under the Sinhalese and Sinhalese worked under the Tamils. It is only the unscrupulous politician upsets this equilibrium. Indian Politicians and the Tamil Diaspora especially Karunanidhi are intent on creating disharmony not because it will benefit the Sri lankan nation but to benefit themselves. I am a tamil of Indian origin. Let me say loud and clear "No Eelam !" I am a "Sri Lankan"
Any comparison to Kosovo is foolish. Every country that has recognized the independence of Kosovo (89 until now) has made it clear that Kosovo is a unique case and should/could not be used as a precedent. Actually India and Sri Lanka should recognize Kosovo to stop once and for all any senseless comparison with the Tamils.
The sensible thing to do in the given internal circumstances in Sri Lanka is to respect the rights and privileges of the minority Tamils without the unity and integrity of the island nation being compromised for the nation to move ahead and prosper without any conflicts.
"Tamil 'Eelam' is for Tamil Nadu politicians what the full moon is for hungry wolves. All their howling is indicative, not of any yearning for a distant, dreamy Eelam, but of the baser urges of the politics of the here-and-now." ... well said Sir/Madam! As the Editor, you amply demonstrated your skills in expression in writing! This matter cannot be better expressed!! Hats off to you!!!
I fully agree.Tamilnadu politicians are trying to fish in troubled waters.Ehat about dissidece in Kashmir? Are we prepared to adhere to same standards. We should cooperate with Ceylon government and see Tamilians are first citiaens of Sri Lanka and then only ethini Tamilians
Brilliant! Tamil Nadu, the home to 500 million Tamils, is the real Tamil Eelam... If these politicians Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha don't have the spunk to stand up to the mainstream Indian politics, then it is their problem. DMK: dont divert the attention of your people from the pathetic state the state of Tamil Nadu has become.. You can have Tamil Eelam in India.... but, never in Sri Lanka.
We have not forgotten that Karunanidhi has deep yearning for Tamil Eelam not just in Sri Lanka, but a breakaway TamilNadu to join it to become the great Tamil nation, where his brood can be anointed as emperors and kings. Just like Madurai and Chennai are being reserved for siblings of MK's family. Leaders have been literally crucified for much humbler beliefs and pronouncements. The UPA is condemned to pay homage to this specimen and his ilk out of the needs of coalition politics. The nation has paid a very heavy price for the DMK's policies (Charity begins and ends with MK's home). It is time for MK to stop his rantings and fade into irrelevance.
I am sorry to say that your editorial is blunt and pointless just like the foreign policy of India. No wonder it doesnt make any impact to the people of world. Fact is Kosovo, East Timor and South Sudan faced the same situation which Sri Lanka facing today namely oppression and ethnic cleansing. Without United Nations the conflicts would have never been resolved and it is still not too late for the same approach in Sri Lanka. India and The Hindu should express its real intentions open instead of mincing words and changing positions. India should retain its hold on Sri Lanka and maintain its dominance in Indian ocean instead of losing control to China. India should take people of Tamil Nadu into confidence for any peaceful solution in Indian sub continent. Distrusting its own people will only make China and other hard core elements in Sri Lanka contol the entire region.
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