TNN | Sep 5, 2012, 01.27AM IST
CHENNAI: At a time when there is hardly a ripple on the political
horizon, the Sri Lankan
Tamil issue has come as a handy tool for political parties in
Tamil Nadu. The stand of the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK has inspired
smaller parties and pro-Tamil outfits to step up their aggression against
visiting Sri Lankan dignitaries and tourists.
There have been at least three incidents of intimidation before Monday's Thanjavur episode, but there have been no statements of condemnation by any of the major political parties, which have merely kept up a chorus against Sri Lankan defence personnel being trained in India. Most of the political parties have been trying to whip up Tamil sentiments and trying to outdo each other in scoring political points.
Only the CPM has come out hard against such political posturing and expressed concern over the "hostility" towards the visiting Sri Lankan in TN. In a statement on Tuesday, the CPM politburo said nothing should be done to disturb people-to-people relations whatever be the Lankan government's approach towards the Tamil issue.
"Whatever the differences and opposition that exists regarding the Sri Lankan government's approach to the Tamil question in Sri Lanka, nothing should be done to disturb people-to-people relations," the statement issued in Delhi said. It was "very unfortunate" that two football teams consisting schoolboys from Sri Lanka were sent back from TN "at the instance of the state government," the party said.
Chief minister J Jayalalithaa, in line with her strong anti-Lanka stand, had on Sunday ordered that the two football teams from Sri Lanka be sent back. One team had flown down to Chennai and played a friendly match with the customs department. A Lankan school-level football team was also asked to leave. Tamil Nationalist Movement Leader and LTTE supporter Pazha Nedumaran even congratulated the CM and termed it "a bold decision".
In a sudden volte face, the DMK sought to strike a different note on Tuesday by slamming the AIADMK government for sacking the sports official. However, no condemnation has been forthcoming from the party on the incidents of heckling of Sinhala pilgrims. Party chief M Karunanidhi told reporters, "All that we can insist is that there should be no military training to Sri Lankan personnel in India as the military was responsible for the death of civilian Tamils (during the armed conflict). That is what we have been striving for and even stoutly opposing in Parliament." He said it is usual for sportsmen, especially cricketers from both nations, to travel to either country to play matches as the Indian cricket team is all set to travel to the island nation for the ensuing T20 World Cup.
In Delhi, DMK MPs met defence minister A K Antony and demanded that the training programme for Sri Lankan army personnel in India be halted. "Such acts will create doubts in the minds of people of Tamil Nadu about the government's intentions," the MPs said in a memorandum handed over to Antony during the meeting.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sri-Lankan-Tamil-issue-Vying-for-political-points-Tamil-Nadu-parties-silent-on-attacks/articleshow/16257501.cms
There have been at least three incidents of intimidation before Monday's Thanjavur episode, but there have been no statements of condemnation by any of the major political parties, which have merely kept up a chorus against Sri Lankan defence personnel being trained in India. Most of the political parties have been trying to whip up Tamil sentiments and trying to outdo each other in scoring political points.
Only the CPM has come out hard against such political posturing and expressed concern over the "hostility" towards the visiting Sri Lankan in TN. In a statement on Tuesday, the CPM politburo said nothing should be done to disturb people-to-people relations whatever be the Lankan government's approach towards the Tamil issue.
"Whatever the differences and opposition that exists regarding the Sri Lankan government's approach to the Tamil question in Sri Lanka, nothing should be done to disturb people-to-people relations," the statement issued in Delhi said. It was "very unfortunate" that two football teams consisting schoolboys from Sri Lanka were sent back from TN "at the instance of the state government," the party said.
Chief minister J Jayalalithaa, in line with her strong anti-Lanka stand, had on Sunday ordered that the two football teams from Sri Lanka be sent back. One team had flown down to Chennai and played a friendly match with the customs department. A Lankan school-level football team was also asked to leave. Tamil Nationalist Movement Leader and LTTE supporter Pazha Nedumaran even congratulated the CM and termed it "a bold decision".
In a sudden volte face, the DMK sought to strike a different note on Tuesday by slamming the AIADMK government for sacking the sports official. However, no condemnation has been forthcoming from the party on the incidents of heckling of Sinhala pilgrims. Party chief M Karunanidhi told reporters, "All that we can insist is that there should be no military training to Sri Lankan personnel in India as the military was responsible for the death of civilian Tamils (during the armed conflict). That is what we have been striving for and even stoutly opposing in Parliament." He said it is usual for sportsmen, especially cricketers from both nations, to travel to either country to play matches as the Indian cricket team is all set to travel to the island nation for the ensuing T20 World Cup.
In Delhi, DMK MPs met defence minister A K Antony and demanded that the training programme for Sri Lankan army personnel in India be halted. "Such acts will create doubts in the minds of people of Tamil Nadu about the government's intentions," the MPs said in a memorandum handed over to Antony during the meeting.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sri-Lankan-Tamil-issue-Vying-for-political-points-Tamil-Nadu-parties-silent-on-attacks/articleshow/16257501.cms
