India’s plans to lend ancient fragments of the Buddha’s bones to Sri Lanka have been slammed by Tamil Nadu activists.
Sri Lanka signed an agreement with India on Friday, permitting the transfer of the relics for the celebrations marking the 2,600th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment.
The request was made by President Rajapakse to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a visit last year.
Tamil Nadu politician Vaiko criticised India’s decision in a letter to the Prime Minister.
The move was "pouring fire in the terribly wounded hearts of the Tamils", said the letter.
Speaking at a Mullivaikal remembrance event on May 20, Vaiko said the sending of the relics would be a betrayal against Tamils.
“When the Lankan government’s hands are stained with the blood of Tamils, sending the relics to Lanka is an unpardonable betrayal of the Government of India against Tamils,” he said.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
