Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

Tamil Nadu tensions escalate as DMK withdraws from government

Tamil Nadu’s Dravidar Munnetra Kazhakam (DMK) has withdrawn from the ruling coalition in Delhi, amidst increasing protests on the streets of the southern Indian state.

As DMK Fumes, Tamil Nadu Boils - The Wall Street Journal (19 Mar 2013)

India’s contribution to the weakening of the US-sponsored resolution at the UN Human Rights Council has caused party leader M Karunanidhi condemned India’s actions and announced the DMK’s immediate withdrawal from the UPA government.

Has India watered down the resolution once again? – First Post (19 Mar 2013)

“The issues raised by the DMK haven't been addressed by the Congress, thus this is a government that doesn't benefit the Tamils in any way," Karunanidhi, told reporters in Chennai on Tuesday.

"And even after this, if we continue to extend our support to the government, it is a shame to Tamil Nadu... Thus the DMK has decided, and we are announcing our immediate withdrawal from the central government and the UPA,

"India, despite being the biggest democratic country, hasn't addressed the issues raised by the DMK, and they have chosen to ignore the problems of the Tamils. These are completely anti-democratic acts by them. I totally condemn it," he added.

Karunanidhi has said the party may reconsider its decision if India helps to introduce a strong resolution at the Human Rights Council, that demands an international inquiry into allegations of war crimes and mentions genocide. The DMK also wants to see the Indian parliament pass a resolution against Sri Lanka, declaring Sri Lanka’s crimes as genocide against Tamils.

“India should intervene and see that the resolution is strengthened. We have come to understand that the resolution has been diluted and so is now irrelevant. We want the government of India to intervene and see that Tamils are protected in the island. It is the duty of India”, said a DMK spokesman outside the parliament in Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi responded to the withdrawal saying the Tamil issue pained her and her party said DMK demands would be looked into.

“The plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka is close to our hearts. Our support for equal rights and equal protection of the laws to them has been unwavering since the days of Indiraji (Indira Gandhi) and Rajivji (Rajiv Gandhi). We are most pained at the manner in which their legitimate political rights continue to be denied to them. We are anguished by reports of unspeakable atrocities on innocent civilians and children, especially during the last days of the conflict in 2009," she said.

However, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister J Jayalalitha has dismissed the DMK’s withdrawal as a drama.

"Sri Lankan Tamils would have been saved if he had withdrawn his support to Central government then [in 2009]. Karunanidhi did not do it. This is a very big betrayal of Tamils,

“People are tired of the countless dramas by Karunanidhi. While the revived TESO had failed to find any support among people and students, he seems to aim at minimising the blame by enacting the latest drama. His aspirations would not come true and people will teach him a right lesson for his drama,” she said.

Over 500 students have now been arrested in the protests that have swept Tamil Nadu.

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.