Sri Lankan Tamils must first get hold of ‘their’ land: Sudarsana Natchiappan
E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan
September 10, 2013
Union Minister E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan on Monday created a flutter by saying “Sri Lankan Tamils must first get hold of their land, as Sri Lanka belongs to them” before their “Eelam dream” could become a reality.
Union Minister E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan on Monday created a flutter by saying “Sri Lankan Tamils must first get hold of their land, as Sri Lanka belongs to them” before their “Eelam dream” could become a reality.
Talking to reporters at the airport, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry said land was important for the Tamils just as it was for Israel and Palestine. “I have told the Tamil diaspora, whose members are in touch with me, that Sri Lanka is our holy land. Don’t work against it.” And he added: “You should first capture Sri Lanka to achieve your objective.”
Mr. Natchiappan’s remarks, repeatedly aired on Tamil television channels, seemed to suggest that he favoured Tamils capturing their land in Sri Lanka as a first step towards achieving Eelam. It came as a surprise as he is known defender of the Congress government’s policy of engagement with Sri Lanka even while working for devolution of power for the Tamil minority there.
However, Mr. Natchiappan later clarified to The Hindu that what he meant that was that Tamils should lay claim to their territory and fight politically for their rights. He mentioned ‘Eelam’, a term that refers to the whole of Sri Lanka, and not to ‘Tamil Eelam’.
The reference to land was in the context of Israel being created only after land was obtained and the Palestinian Authority gaining recognition based on territory.
He also had the forthcoming North-Eastern Provincial Council elections in mind. “Elections are taking place in Tamil areas for the first time [in over two decades]. Unless and until Tamils get devolution of power, they cannot get equal rights.
It can be achieved only by democratic means,” he said and wanted the diaspora to help the Tamils living in the country.
Mr Natchiappan said Tamils in Sri Lanka were keen that the Indian Prime Minister should attend the Commonwealth summit (to be held in November in Colombo) as they believed that only a strong India could protect their interests and as India had already spent considerable sums towards their rehabilitation.
To a question on India’s defence cooperation with Sri Lanka, he said the ties between the two countries were important to ensure that Sri Lanka did not inch towards China for help.
PM will be apprised of issues relating to Sri Lanka: V Narayanasamy
Karunanidhi had said it would strengthen the arguments voiced by many that India was only helping the Lankan government and not the Tamils.
By PTI | 10 Sep, 2013
CHENNAI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singhwill be apprised of the objections raised by political parties in Tamil Nadu to India's plan to supply warships to Sri Lanka and his participation in the Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting in Colombo, Union Minister V Narayanasamy said on Tuesday.
"Political parties from Tamil Nadu have opposed India's plan to supply warships to Sri Lanka. DMK chief M Karunanidhi has opposed it. Congress (TNCC) has also spoken on the matter. I will bring them to the attention of the Prime Minister," he told reporters here.
DMK and other parties have opposed India's plans to supply two warships to Sri Lanka, contending that such a move would in no way benefit Indian fishermen and sought withdrawal of the proposal.
Karunanidhi had said it would strengthen the arguments voiced by many that India was only helping the Lankan government and not the Tamils there or Indian fishermen.
"Parties have opposed the PM's participation in the CHOGM (this November) in a united voice. I will take the issue to the Prime Minister. He will take a good decision," Narayanasamy said.
Ruling AIADMK-led by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has demanded that India boycott the CHOGM meet,accusing the Lankan army of committing "war crimes and genocide" against the Tamils.
"Political parties from Tamil Nadu have opposed India's plan to supply warships to Sri Lanka. DMK chief M Karunanidhi has opposed it. Congress (TNCC) has also spoken on the matter. I will bring them to the attention of the Prime Minister," he told reporters here.
DMK and other parties have opposed India's plans to supply two warships to Sri Lanka, contending that such a move would in no way benefit Indian fishermen and sought withdrawal of the proposal.
Karunanidhi had said it would strengthen the arguments voiced by many that India was only helping the Lankan government and not the Tamils there or Indian fishermen.
"Parties have opposed the PM's participation in the CHOGM (this November) in a united voice. I will take the issue to the Prime Minister. He will take a good decision," Narayanasamy said.
Ruling AIADMK-led by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has demanded that India boycott the CHOGM meet,accusing the Lankan army of committing "war crimes and genocide" against the Tamils.
