Rajapaksa visit: Vaiko held in Delhi, Karunanidhi leads protests in Chennai
New Delhi, Chennai, Bodh Gaya, Tirupati, Fri Feb 08 2013
chief Vaiko and his supporters were today detained when they tried to march towards the Prime Minister's residence in protest against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the country.
Vaiko and scores of his supporters have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here since morning demanding that India close down the Sri Lankan High Commission in the capital.
"We will not forgive the Manmohan Singh government for supporting Sri Lanka in its war against Tamils," Vaiko said, addressing his supporters.
Later, Vaiko along with his cadre tried marching towards the residence of Prime Minister in Race Course Road but were stopped near Parliament Street Police Station.
However, when Vaiko tried to break the barricade, he was detained.
At the protest, the MDMK cadre shouted slogans against Rajapaksa's visit and burnt his effigy.
Rajapaksa annihilating Tamils: Karunanidhi
DMK chief M Karunanidhi today led a state-wide protest here against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India, accusing him of making efforts to 'annihilate' Tamils in the island republic.
Wearing black shirts, the protesters gathered under the banner of the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation, which Karunanidhi had revived some months ago, and shouted slogans against Rajapaksa, who is on a pilgrimage to Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.
Karunanidhi charged the Lankan President with attempting to not only to 'annihilate' the Tamil population but also erase the Tamil language.
Party Treasurer M K Stalin and other senior party leaders were present.
Effigies of Rajapaksa were burnt and lawyers boycotted courts in some parts of the state, protesting the visit.
Karunanidhi had said yesterday that the Centre should realise at least now that the island government was not keeping its promises after the Sri Lankan President had ruled out autonomy for Tamil areas.
"Rajapaksa should correct himself, and Centre should also take steps to protect Tamils," Karunanidhi had said.
Addressing the 65th Independence Day celebrations on Monday, the Lankan President had ruled out greater political autonomy for Tamils, saying ethnicity-based division was "not practical" as people live together in unity and there were no
racial or religious differences.
Bodh Gaya visit
Sri Lankan President Mahindha Rajapaksa, accompanied by his wife Shiranthi Rajpaksa and a 70-member delegation, visited the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya today.
Rajapaksa was received at the Gaya International Airport by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Education Minister P K Shahi and senior state government civil and police officials, official sources said. He was accorded a guard of honour by the state police.
From the airport, the cavalcade of the Sri Lankan president and members of his delegation drove straight to the Mahabodhi temple where they performed religious rituals, sources said.
Rajapaksa meditated before a peepal tree where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and visited the Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihar in the temple town.
The Chief Minister hosted a lunch for the Sri Lankan President and his delegation, the sources said.
Meanwhile, CPI(M-L) Liberation workers raised slogans against the Sri Lankan President from some distance as his cavalcade drove towards the Mahabodhi temple.
The protesters, who had mingled in the crowd that gathered to welcome the visiting dignitaries, shouted slogans like the 'Killer of Tamils go back'.
Two of the protesters have been detained for questioning, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order), Rakesh Kumar Dube said.
Elaborate security arrangements were made in Bodh Gaya town in view of the President's visit, police sources said.
Tirupati expects trouble
Meanwhile, a thick security blanket has been thrown over the temple town of Tirupati in the wake of reports that several Tamil Nadu-based outfits may create trouble during the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here this evening,
police said today.
The Vaiko-led MDMK party, which blames Rajapaksa for the plight of Tamils in the last phase of conflict between the Lankan Army and rebel LTTE, has announced staging black flag protest at Tirupati against the leader's visit there.
Various pro-Tamil groups including DMK-led TESO have also announced protests elsewhere.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place at the airport here, across the 15 km road from the airport leading to the foot of the hills called Alipiri and the 18 km long hill route leading to Tirumala, the hill abode of Lord Venkateswara, police sources said.
Rajapaksa would offer prayers in the wee hours on Saturday, temple sources told PTI, adding, he would also take part in the 'Suprabhatha recitation ritual by priests at the
sanctum sanctorum.
Rajapaksa will arrive at the airport here this evening on a 17 hour pilgrimage by a Sri Lankan special flight and immediately proceed to the hills by road, and stay overnight at the tightly guarded Sri Padmavathi guest house, the sources said.
He had last visited the shrine on April 2, 2011.
| [ Friday, 08 February 2013, 12:36.22 PM GMT +05:30 ] | |
 The DMK and the TESO members protests in the national capital and in Chennai on Friday protesting the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa , who arrive India today.
| |
 DMK chief M. Karunanidhi led the party's protests in Tamil Nadu capital as they put on black outfit to express their displeasure over Rajapaksa's visit.Karunanidhi said that the protest under the banner of Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) was aimed at sending a clear message to the Sri Lankan President as well as the Centre.  The DMK chief, whose party is a key constituent of UPA, said, "The central government should realise at least now that the island government is not keeping its promises after the Sri Lankan President ruled out autonomy for Tamil areas."Karunanidhi and supporters were in black dress and commenced protest at 10.00 am in Chennai. Tressurer of DMK Stalin, Viduthalai Siruthaikal leader Thirumawalawan, Kanimozi, MP S.P.Weerapanadiyan and several other officials were also present at this protest campaign. |
