Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday described the authorities’ action to demolish a portion of the Mullivaikal memorial as a mark of “double standard” of the government.
He told reporters in the affirmative whether the State government, which had got a resolution adopted in the Assembly on the Union government’s decision to participate in CHOGM in Sri Lanka, could be said to be adopting “double standard.”
He also accused the State government of neglecting many ancient Tamil memorials and historical records.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the Centre’s decision to send External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid as India’s representative to the CHOGM was a mistake.
The Centre should not have ignored the sentiments of the Tamils, he said.
Asked whether the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) would organise any protest to condemn India’s stand, he said a decision would be taken after consulting TESO members.
PMK leader S. Ramadoss also criticised the government’s action, saying that the argument of the government that the compound wall was constructed on the land meant for national highways could not be accepted.
“There are a lot of encroachments on the National Highways and the State government had not taken action to remove them,” he said.
He said on the one hand, the Chief Minister had adopted a resolution condemning India’s decision to attend the CHOGM and on the other, she had demolished the memorial dedicated to Sri Lankan Tamil victims.
Nedumaran to protest
P. Nedumaran, president of Ulaga Thamizhar Peramaippu, which was behind the construction of the Mullivaikkal memorial in Thanjavur, said he would mobilise people to lodge a strong protest against the demolition. Mr. Nedumaran said: “On the one hand, Chief Minister gets a resolution adopted in the Assembly urging India to boycott the CHOGM. On the other, the wall of the Mullivaikkal memorial is being demolished,” he said, alleging that the action was under pressure from the Central government.
By noon, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko reached the memorial. When the police prevented him and his supporters from entering the memorial, it led to heated arguments.
After Mr. Vaiko was allowed to enter the memorial premises, he sat with his supporters at the entrance to the main building.
Seeman joined him in the evening.
