Whatever the outcome of the battle in Sri Lanka, the world cannot stand by and see over 500,000 innocent men women and children be the victims in this war. We in India have a special duty to go in and add to the rescue efforts of the innocent on a much larger scale than we have. Not just as a humanitarian gesture, but as a neighbour we are most suited for the rescue mission. And if we do not, the Tamils of Sri Lanka will never forgive us, nor will our Tamil people forget this.
I am not taking sides in the War. I just do not know enough. Except that we all know that India has meddled in Sri Lankan affairs in the past, has been responsible for the formation of the Tamil Tigers, and then tried to rein them in, leading to Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
Whatever the past, we cannot just be bystanders. Even the political fallout is extremely dangerous for us. If the battle for a separate Tamil State fails in Sri Lanka, those ambitions could easily be transferred to Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu is not an oppressed state, so there will be no question of separation there. It is either highly admirable or highly shameful to witness India’s passive stand in the face of so much aggression against the Tamils. Under the current government, one cannot expect anything much.
Thanks Shekhar..
Thank you Mr Shekhar for approaching the issue with a humanitarian and brotherly affection. This is what was missing in India’s previous interventions.
However the carnage is still continuing as we speak. I am not sure how far India’s request to stop the shelling will be received by Sri Lanka or even if India has conveyed the message strong enough.
This is a very succint third person’s view of the situation in Sri Lanka. Mr. Shekar, you have pointed out a clear outline of the consequences of the events in Sri Lanka, political as well as humanitarian.
India is playing right into the hands of its enemies, and looking at history, Sri Lanka has and is still an ally of India’s enemies. Former PM Mrs. Indira Gandhi had the political foresight to see through the smoke, when it came to handling our neighbours. Unforunately, whatever the current government is doing seems to lack this aspect.
I also see that the other post on “Confusing Indian Elections” reverbrates close to the heart of the common man in India.
When posed with a question of “Why did you take this decision?”, the common answer we receive from politicians today is “Oh, my predecessor also did that. Why dont you ask him?”.
Mr. Shekar’s post reflects very clearly, the confusion and dissappointment of the Indian youth.
Excellent post sir!
It is absolutely criminal that here in the United States our media completely ignores this tragedy,
In India, the policy on external affairs is based on the geo political interests and not on the people concerned. A relationship with the people of a neighboring country is ignored and the Government to Government cooperation plan and strategies are given priority ignoring the humanitarian aspects.
India is playing with fire.
You have rightly pointed out if the battle for a separate Tamil State fails in Sri Lanka, those ambitions could easily be transferred to Tamil Nadu.
Tigers, who were defending Tamils against Sinhalese attrocities in Sri Lanka, may be defeated with the satellite pictures and logistic supports of Indian Army, but who will replace them? It will naturally come from Tamil nadu if Indian Army fails to guarantee any protection.
India is sowing the seeds encouraging seperatism within its own soil.India acts against the sentiments of its own population in Tamil nadu
With China supporting Sri Lanka for Budhdhist connections, it will turn out to be a situation where India itself will be seen serving the interests of China. How foolish is it?
Is it that much necessary to ignore our population and strengthen the hands of China?
What kind of foreign policy is that?
If the kind of statements that Tamil Nadu’s politicians have been making about Sri Lanka, the LTTE el al had been made by politicians from another country about such an insurgency situation in India, say in Kashmir, there would have shouts from all around India about interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation, but when Indians want to interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, which also happens to be a sovereign nation, there seems to be no problem.
Genocide of Srilankan Tamils:
I am pained to see the plight of my fellow Tamils in Srilanka fleeing homes, maimed children, women and the old.
But people were more worried about Prabakaran & the Sovereignty of Srilanka.
For them innocent Tamils life is not important; their sisters, mothers (those LTTE baiters) were not raped and killed inserting the bayonets into the female genitals.
For them arresting of Prabakaran and bringing to book as per Indian Law is more important.
These law- abiding Indians, who stack their slush money in Swiss Banks, Tamils’ lives are cheaper than a sheep.
Embedded Journalism:
All the Indian English TV Channels changed as Hinglish TV Channels except Headlines Today TV , representing Hindi heartland. The majority of English knowing Tamils are responsible for the TV channels TRP ratings & resulting in revenue.
If some Biharis or Bias of UP are getting killed in Mumbai these Hinglish Channels were furious.
But in the killings of Tamils with the Arms supplied by India (from the Income Tax & other taxes from Indian Tamils like us) they resort to embedded journalism. Sitting inside armoured vehicles going upto the marked dot of Srilankan Army shamelessly telling “beyond this we cannot go” and repeating the exclusives of the Defence Secretary of SL today (26-04-09) by 8.00 am Times Now shamelessly reporting.
In Lanka, “No fire ” & “No war Zone” UN representatives cannot go, leave alone these hi-fi boys of Corporate World funded TVs and they belong to the same category. Why?
The Srilankan Army is using Tamils as human shield and hence they refuse free access to no fire
& no war Zones. Remember it is not a battle field they refuse access. It is only safe zones.
Chinese are on the prowl to take foot hold in Lanka.
No it is not important and getting Prabakaran is important. These are anti national loosing sight of the truth simply because they are Tamils of sovereign nation.
For India Bangladesh was part of India, Sending IPKF to Lanka at that time it was part of India.
For training the very same LTTE by Indian army 25 years ago, was within the purview of Indian soil.
For Russia, when they invaded Germany, Hungary & other East European nations in
World War II, were a local internal matter. Today also Georgia & Chechnya are Russia’s internal matter.
But today what is happening in Srilanka is an internal matter of a sovereign nation and hence Russia & China vetoed the discussion in Security Council of UN, on Tamil Genocide.
China is a Ghandian Country, but they can swallow 40 000 sq. km of Indian soil & claim Arunachal Pradesh as theirs.
When the Supreme Court order was thrown to winds on Cauvery water issue all kept quiet.
Are these TV Channels going to keep quiet when China is planning to build world’s biggest Dam?
Where? On Brahmaputra to divert water to South China!
Do you ever know?
I challenge no one in earth can stop Chinese in this regard (as per past history).
So close your eyes on the genocide of Tamils since Hindi belt is not affected and they killed Mahatma Rajiv of Bofors Scandal. Jain Commision report on Rajiv Killing was concealed from Supreme Court view.
Govinda Kannan
There is no surprise that NorthIndians dont like the south Indians because of their passion for their own mother toungue.
Because of the above stated reason, they dont care about the situation in the south India, which was one of the sole owners of the IT revolution which then spread to the North.
This is the only reason for the civil war, the North south divide and comparing this with US civil wars is FOOLISHNESS.,
TO DEMAND CEASE FIRE IN TAMILS’ EALAM IS ANTI-NATIONAL
The great Gandhian & a greatest Patriot Kabil Sibel a Minister branded
Jayalalitha as anti-national & irresponsible, for demanding separate Tamil Ealam!
Yes he is right! To which country he means? Italy? Because he is a patriot of that country!
If so How?
Internationally it is well known Tigers are almost in the verge of complete collapse.
Then what for cease fire is demanded by International Community, barring Italy (India) & China!
They fear terrorism cannot be wiped out and if one Prabakaran is killed several Tigers more ferocious will come up.
That is the experience of the world. But Italy (India) wants to wreak vengeance for the killing of Mahatma Rajiv Gandhi of Bofors fame. (Today Quattarachi is released from Red Corner Notice to Interpol.)
Even if the entire Tamil race is wiped out Prabakaran should be finished! On 27thApr.09 “Defence Secretary Srilanka in “Times Now TV” openly came on record that India supplied Radar and other surveillance materials giving training to its forces; the Senior Editor a Bengali, never broached that subject with punching questions (a habit of Arnab to hurt and provocate) . Since he is not a Tamil but a Patriotic Indian he cannot. Innocent Tamils lives are cheaper than sheep.
So Patriotic Italian & her henchmen will not demand cease fire because they only supplied arms and gave strategic support with a licence to kill the race of those who killed her husband. Air Force Tambaram said it is normal to give training to a friendly country Srilanka! (Refer news reports)
So both India on behalf of Italian & and Srilanka admits defence support.
Result several thousand innocent deaths.
In the aftermath of virtual defeat of Tigers (Srilankan claims) ceasefire is demanded for
what & where? In war Zone? No!
Cease fire is demanded by international Community barring India & China in “NO-FIRE” &
“NO- WAR” Zones!
Real Patriotic Ghandians AWAKE ! AWAKE ! It is already too late and instead of blame game save India from the curse of Mahatma Gandhi for being a party to genocide.
India was hijacked for petty personal vendetta of an Italian resulting in genocide of Tamils. In Bofors case also she save her cousin as a last act.
Why hurry in these matters?
The Italian (as per Italian Constitution once Italian ever Italian even if Expats) having doubts in the hustings she hurriedly completed her job. Great!
We the Indian Tamil slaves beg India and cohorts Srilanka: “for not cease fire”- but do not fire at concentration camps of No-War & No-Fire Zones in Srilanka.
God save the nation.
Three Urgent Agenda on the last minute
By an Italian Lady, Before Parliamentary Elections:
The lame duck Government acted swiftly on the orders.
1. To kill LTTE Prabhakaran at any cost inpspite of innocent Tamils death & destruction by giving arms to Srilanka before Parliamentary Elections.
2. Thank Q , CBI for your loyal act on the orders of a lame duck Government:
i. Releasing Jagdish Tytler, a loyalist from the prosecution on flimsy grounds. Thank Q CBI !
ii. Releasing a close relative Quottarachi by removing from Red Cornered Notice to Interpol. Than Q CBI !
Thank you mister Shekar,
There is nothing called soveriniety in Srilanka.
If one sinhala students gets 35 in exam he is pass. If tamil student got 50 in the same exam, he is fail. this is what sinhala soverinity.
As a Tamilian, if India help my enemies to kill my brothers, then I consider India too my enemy. Now India become enemy for Tamil people.
India will split one day and Tamils will become independent. We will have our own army. We will win these sinhalese dogs on that day.
Tamil people don’t need to die for kashmir or for any other part of this country. Because India will not greatfull to you. If India has greatful to Tamils It would fight for our brothers like it did for Bangladesh.
Thank you mister Shekar,
There is nothing called soveriniety in Srilanka.
If one sinhala students gets 35 in exam he is pass. If tamil student got 50 in the same exam, he is fail. this is what sinhala soverinity.
As a Tamilian, if India help my enemies to kill my brothers, then I consider India too my enemy. Now India become enemy for Tamil people.
India will split one day and Tamils will become independent. We will have our own army. We will win these sinhalese dogs on that day.
Tamil people don’t need to die for kashmir or for any other part of this country. Because India will not greatfull to you. If India has greatful to Tamils It would fight for our brothers like it did for Bangladesh.
We, the Eelam Tamils, are so pleased to read a few soothing words of sympathetic understanding, care and concern that are characteristics to a true son of Mother-India; especially a person from an illustrious Indian Iconic, silver-screen family and currently an international celebrity in film industry Mr. Shekar Kapoor. Thank you very much, Sir! May God bless you!
As a grass-root level citizen of Eelam, let me say that Mother India has a role – not a simple supporting side role but a big determining main role, to play in her back-yard since she is the ONLY regional Super-power in the vast ‘Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal – still let me go a little further to say including the South-east Asian cluster, as well. There shouldn’t be any doubt about it. But, it depends on the wisdom of the one who sits on the seat of power in Delhi. Therefore, we can not afford to ignore because of the evil and immoral and ill-conceived attitude of Congress Party. We can curse the evils for its downfall – but not the Mother. Hard earned undisputable status as the regional super-power has been seriously undermined and reduced to even a disputable stinking junkyard by the arrogant anti-Tamil policies and open support for the genocide of Eelam Tamils perpetrated by the current single-minded dictatorship. India’s standing in the world-stage as regional power and her eroded status as an emerging global superpower could be reestablished and restored ONLY by those true sons and daughters of progressive national and regional parties – NOT by the scavenging ego-centric Congress led Government. We always bear in mind that we are under the shadow of Mother-India and should always be loyal to her and respect her current status as the Indian Ocean Super-Power.
Thank you for the understanding of the situation. We, Tamils, appreciate and thank you for your voice on this issue.
Tamils are interested in the issue of Sri Lanka ot on humanitarian ground, but simply because they belong to their own people. Tamilians have never shown humaniatarian considerations in respect of others. For example, The people of Kerala are giving Tamil Nadu water from Mullaperiyar dam. The dam is in danger but Tamilians do not consider their problem. They are not grateful to the people of Keral for giving them free water. take any case, the politcians of Tamil Nadu are greedy and do not consider their neighbours’ issue.
I am pained by the sufering caused to the innocent Tamils in Lanka. But I am against any kind of division of Lanka because Tamilians are immigrants and it is unjust to divide the land and give it just becasue Lanka showed mercy to these Tamils and welcomed them to their land. Tamils and Sinhala people should live like brothers in one land. That will be in the interest of India and Sri Lanka and the state of Tamil Nadu. India should stand for a united Sri Lanka where the dignity of our Tamil brothers are protected. I am sure there will be peace in Sri Lanka soon. May God bless Tamil people!
Thank you
Rohit
Mr. Rohit! I appreciate your intellectual understanding and suggestive advice to the problem but differ from your wrong assertion. Therefore, as my duty I am obliged to clear and straighten your misconception wrong perception about so called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’. Firstly, I would be pleased, if I am correct, to assume you are / may be from Keralite gentry; and you know a little bit of history of the last 200 – 300 years – post-British colonization in particular. We, as a very tiny Eelam Tamil people of 3.5 million out of nearly 7.6 million Tamil speaking people in Sri Lanka, can not expect you to know much about us the much we know about you – the great bigger India. There is no necessity for you to know, in the absence of any reason, because we are less significant in number and size but very resolute and formidable in militancy.
Nowadays, you know well that mass professional, technical, skilled and unskilled manpower / labour migration, from all part of the globe – Indian subcontinent in particular, is still taking-place for the last 60 years to the oil rich middle-eastern countries. Hopefully some of your relatives or friends may also be there. Likewise, I hope you may agree with me if I say that mass migration of Indian people, from the State of Madras (today Tamil Nadu) in South, took-place during 18th and 19th centuries. Not under the Portuguese or the Dutch but only under the British rule people had been hired and taken to all over east and west parts of the world wherever they occupied and maintained colonies to work in their plantations. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) too was not excluded. Indian Tamil people also came to work in plantations and settled-down in the central hill country side. Independent business communities settled in cities like Colombo, Kandy and Nuwaraeliya. People who came from India commonly identify themselves as Upcountry Tamils and Tamils Citizens by Registration. They are represented in politics by their own Trade Unions and mingle with all communities very well since they have no policies or political aspirations. Usually, top office-bears of the trade unions become MPs and join the government to hold ministerial portfolios. This situation could be termed as ‘Labour Migration. There is still another type of exodus nowadays could be termed as ‘Refuge Migration – i.e. Exodus of Eelam Tamils from Sri Lanka.
In these cases, I honestly agree with you and your assertion that people who have gone / migrated to other countries can not and have no right to ask / fight for a homeland or separation or Independence.
Now, while I agree with this – then where I differ? Who are these terrorists labeled themselves as LTTE – freedom fighters & liberators and so on? Whom are they trying liberate and from whom? Mr. Rohit, I am sure of that you have heard / learned of aborigine and indigene – in your country a’athi’va’asi. We, Eelam Tamils, are one of the aborigines – indigenous people of this land. We have prehistoric mythical and over 2,000 years of undisputed archeological evidence to verify the claim. Even our Sinhalese brethren’s mythical history ‘Mahavamsa’ describes earliest war tool-place in 250BC between their young prince Dutegamunu and elderly Tamil King ‘El’lalan’. The young prince defeated by killing him and built a monument in honour of the dead king. Sinhalese are still proud of their ancestry believe and accept. Eelam’s last king was ‘Sangilli’ who was defeated by Portuguese at war in Nalloor and captured as prisoner and hanged to death in Goa 1658. It was the end of the Kingdom Eelam, Tamil chieftains ruled today’s Vanni until 1793.
So, Mr. Rohit, please be convinced that ONLY the indigenous Tamils of North & East are struggling and fighting for liberation. No migrants or Upcountry Tamils or Muslims are taking part or contributing to liberation struggle.
So what’s happening now? Buildup of Bristish common wealth empire comprising 52 nations and the events and activities during 200 years of their rule are well recorded and documented in all available means and forms- even in schools and universities’ text books in English and native languages through out the empire. Mass transportation of manpower across the seas and oceans is a blinking feature of activity in the text books. It enables false convincing propagation and became an easy vehicle for the politicians and Government to spread and portray whole population of Tamils as migrants and convince much larger population of many people across the globe. In year 2000, former President of Sri Lanka Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranayke declared, at Non-Alliance Nations Conference held in Johannesburg, to the 112 Heads of State that Tamil in Sri Lanka came from India 150 years and they are fighting for separation and Independence. What else you want me say? May God bless you & Mother India!
Firstly, let me appreciate Mr. Govinda Kannan for his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Eelam Tamils’ struggle and his analytical examination and exposing the duplicity of methods adopted at every stage by the unscrupulous elements in establishment in Delhi.
Secondly, Mr. Remit! I appreciate your intellectual sentiments and understanding, wishes for the well being of the oppressed. But I regret to differ from your wrong assertion. Therefore, I am obliged to clear your misconception and wrong perception about so called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’. Firstly, I would be pleased, if I am correct, to assume you are / may be from a Karalee gentry; and you know a little bit of history of the last 200 – 300 years – post-British colonization in particular. We can not expect you to know much about us the much we know about you – the great bigger India. There is no necessity for you to know, in the absence of any interest or reason, because we are less significant in number and size but very resolute and formidable in many aspects.
Nowadays, you know well that mass migration of professional, technical, skilled and unskilled manpower from all part of the globe – Indian subcontinent in particular, is still taking-place for the last 60 years to the oil rich middle-eastern countries. Hopefully some of your relatives or friends may also be there. Likewise, I hope you may agree with me if I say that mass migration of Indian people, from the State of Madras (today Tamil Nadir) in South, took-place during 18th and 19th centuries. Not under the Portuguese or the Dutch but only under the British rule people had been hired and taken to all over east and west parts of the world wherever they maintained colonies to work in their plantations. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) too was not excluded. Indian Tamil and Kerala people also came to work in plantations and settled-down in the central hill country side. Independent business communities, mostly Keraliltes and Chetties, settled in cities like Colombo, Kandy and Nuwaraeliya. People who came from India commonly identify themselves as Upcountry Tamils and Ceylonese Citizens by Registration. They are represented in politics by their own Trade Unions and mingle with all communities very well since they have no policies or political aspirations. Usually, top office-bears of the trade unions become MPs and join the government and hold ministerial portfolios. This observable fact could be termed as ‘Labour Migration’. There is still another type of exodus nowadays occurring which could be termed as ‘Refuge Migration – i.e. Exodus of Tamils from Sri Lanka.
In these cases, I honestly agree with you and your assertion that people who have gone / migrated to other countries should not / can not and have right to ask / fight for a homeland or separation or Independence.
Now, while agreeing with this – then where I differ? Come to the ‘Terrorism’ in Sri Lanka. Who are these terrorists labeled themselves as freedom fighters & liberators and so on? Whom are they trying liberate and from whom? They are the true son and daughters of Eelam Soil. They are fighting against the brutal oppression. Mr. Rohit, I am sure of that you have heard / learned of aborigine and indigene – in your country a’athi’va’asi. Tamils living and densely populated in North and East claim that they are the aborigines – indigenous people of this land and identify themselves as ‘Eelam Tamils’. They have prehistoric mythical and over 2,000 years of proven archeological evidences to verify their claim. Even our Sinhalese brethren’s mythical history ‘Mahavamsa’ describes an earliest war that tool-place in 250BC between the young Sinhalese Prince Dutegamunu and elderly Tamil King ‘El’lalan’. The young prince defeated by killing him and built a monument in honour of the dead king in Manthottam – in Mannar. This undisputed fact is accepted by ‘Eelam Tamils’ and even Sinhalese are still proud of their ancestral believe and accept it. Eelam’s last king ‘Sangillian’ was defeated by Portuguese at war in Nalloor and captured as prisoner and hanged him to death in Goa 1658. It was the end of the Kingdom Eelam.
So, the Eelam Tamils have legitimacy by heritage and inalienable every right to come out of oppression and fight for Independence.
So, Mr. Rohit, please be informed of the factual history that ONLY the indigenous Tamils of North & East are struggling and fighting for liberation. No migrants or Upcountry Tamils or Muslims are asking independence or taking part or contributing to liberation struggle but silently sympathize with their course.
So what’s happening now? Buildup of British common wealth empire comprising 52 nations and the events and activities during 200 years of their rule are well recorded and documented in all available means and forms- even in schools and universities’ text books in English and native languages through out the empire. Mass transportation of manpower across the seas and oceans is a blinking feature of activity in the text books. It enables false convincing propagation and became an easy vehicle for the politicians and Government to spread and portray whole population of Tamils as migrants and convince much larger population of many people across the globe. In year 2000, former President of Sri Lanka Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranayke declared, at Non-Alliance Nations Conference held in Johannesburg, to the 112 Heads of State that Tamils in Sri Lanka came from India 150 years ago and they are fighting for separation and division of the small country. Mr. Rohit, believe it or not / take it or leave it! What else you want me say? May God bless you & Mother India!
Nithyananthan: Read your elaborate response with much interest. Sorry to diverge a bit from the seriousness of topic in discussion….but I have special interest in the references you made to ‘pre-historic/mythical’ evidences… Are you aware of centers of archaeological learning/study/research (Tamil and Sinhalese history) in Sri Lanka?
China backs Sri Lankan fight against LTTE
BEIJING: China on Tuesday came out in support of the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to wipe out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and
apprehend its leader V. Prabakaran. It also backed the decision of the Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda, to induct Maoist forces in the country’s army.
“Both Nepal and Sri Lanka are friendly to China. We support the efforts of their governments to safeguard national integrity while ensuring security and political stability,” Jiang Yu, spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry said at a press briefing. She was responding to a question about the end of the 24 hour deadline for surrender given to Prabhakaran by the Sri Lankan government.
Mr. Rohit,
Please be civil in your comments! By now you must have read Mr. Nithyanandan’s beautiful piece on the history of eelam tamils! Trust this has been an eye opener to you! Also please understand kerala is not obliging tamil nadu by giving mullai water – As you would understand the river mullai flows through kerala and finally into tamil nadu and even enemy countries dont create issue in sharing water but indian states do! We still have water sharing arrangement with some of our rivers flowing through punjab into pakistan!
Also kerala is getting plenty of electricity from tamil nadu in return. And finally the tamils have been more than generous and have always let people from other states / communities thrive without letting them feel intimidated! Incidentally it is the only state perhaps in india which had two people of non tamil origin as its Chief Minister – MGR and Jayalalitha! Match this!
These self-professed and self-appointed Tamil Theologicians try so hard to show the rest of the world that they were the first civilization in Sri Lanka – with no basis or evidence whatsoever to prove their theories. On the other hand, history clearly proves from numerous ancient documents, in scrolls and writings that Sinhalese were in Sri Lanka much earlier than the Tamils. Tamils were either remnants of invaders from South India from the past or those who were brought into the country by the British as slaves to work in the up-country plantations or illegal immigrants of recent times who left misery behind in India and smuggled themselves across the Palk Straights to find a better life in Sri Lanka. Get a break man – and stop lying about a bull-shit history that you guys are cooking up now. We Sinhala people are the origins from Sri Lanka and we have not originated from any other country. Our language is only spoken in Sri Lanka and it is our motherland – and we shall never give an inch of it to you terrorists. If you want to live with us and amongst us in peace and harmony, then you are most welcome – but if you try to destroy or partition it, then you shall have the most appropriately.