Thousands of people paid tribute to victims of the Tamil Genocide on Sunday at Besant Nagar Beach in Chennai, as politicians, activists and members of the public gathered to honour the memory of Tamils killed during the Mullivaikkal genocide.
The remembrance event, organised by the May 17 Movement, commenced at around 6 p.m. and drew a large gathering of activists, supporters and members of the Tamil public.
Participants paid tribute to the Tamil civilians massacred during the final stages of the armed conflict in 2009 and reflected on the immense loss and enduring grief carried by Eelam Tamils across the world.
The gathering was held in a solemn atmosphere of remembrance and collective mourning, with attendees honouring the memory of those who perished whilst reaffirming calls for justice, accountability and remembrance.
The event forms part of wider commemorations taking place across Tamil Nadu, Tamil Eelam and the global Tamil diaspora ahead of May 18, which is observed annually as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.
In recent years, remembrance events across Tamil Nadu have grown increasingly prominent, with Tamil political parties, student groups and civil society organisations continuing to commemorate the genocide and call for international accountability.
The May 17 Movement has long been active in campaigns relating to Eelam Tamils, including demands for recognition of the genocide, international investigations into wartime atrocities and support for the Tamil nation’s right to self-determination.
