The Tamil Nadu assembly today passed yet another resolution calling for a 'complete boycott' of Indian participation from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, due to be held in Colombo this week.
The resolution, put forward by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, hit out against the Indian government's decision to still attend the summit, with foreign minister Salman Khurshid confirming his attendance earlier in the day. Jayalalithaa had told the assembly that participation was endorsing the "inhuman" deeds of the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil people "whose sufferings continued even four years after the end of the war".
She went on to say that India woukd be "guilty" of allowing Sri Lanka to chair the Commonwealth for the next two years, adding,
Earlier in the day Khurshid had been quoted as saying,
The resolution, put forward by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, hit out against the Indian government's decision to still attend the summit, with foreign minister Salman Khurshid confirming his attendance earlier in the day. Jayalalithaa had told the assembly that participation was endorsing the "inhuman" deeds of the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil people "whose sufferings continued even four years after the end of the war".
She went on to say that India woukd be "guilty" of allowing Sri Lanka to chair the Commonwealth for the next two years, adding,
"In this situation, India's participation would amount to defending the war criminals".
Earlier in the day Khurshid had been quoted as saying,
"I am going to Sri Lanka, India is not boycotting the CHOGM".
"Our efforts in Sri Lanka have been a success. We have a huge commitment to the development of the north east province of Sri Lanka".The decision was slammed by Jayalalithaa who said,
"The Centre's present decision can only be seen as a routine one and neither giving any consolation to the Tamils nor respecting their sentiments".The resolution stated,
"Respecting the sentiments and feeling of Tamils, even for namesake, none should represent India in the Commonwealth Summit. This House again demands of the Indian government that the country should boycott completely this CHOGM."
"But in total contradiction to these demands, the Centre has announced that an Indian delegation led by External Affairs Minister would attend the CHOGM. The assembly expresses its deep regret to this. The Centre's decision, which does not console the Tamils and respect their sentiments is an act of causing deep pain".