Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay issued a message on Monday evening marking Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, stating that the memories of Mullivaikkal must remain in the hearts of Tamils and reaffirming support for the rights of Eelam Tamils living across the seas.
Posting on X in Tamil on May 18, Vijay wrote, “Let us carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts. We shall always stand in support of the rights of our Tamil relatives living across the seas.”
The statement came as Tamils across the homeland and diaspora commemorated the 17th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, remembering the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians massacred during the final stages of the Sri Lankan military offensive in 2009.
Vijay’s remarks were closely watched amid growing expectations over how the newly elected Tamil Nadu administration would respond to Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and broader calls for accountability and justice for Eelam Tamils.
In recent weeks, several Tamil political parties, civil society organisations and diaspora groups had urged the Tamil Nadu government to adopt a stronger political position on the Eelam Tamil national question. Earlier this month, Tamil nationalist organisations and politicians had also called on Vijay’s administration to formally recognise May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and support international accountability efforts.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) legislative party leader Vanni Arasu had publicly invited Vijay to participate in Mullivaikkal remembrance events organised by the party. However, despite expectations among sections of Tamil nationalist supporters, Vijay did not attend any public commemorative gathering linked to the remembrance events.
Apart from the social media statement, the Tamil Nadu government has not formally organised or participated in any major state-backed remembrance event connected to Mullivaikkal this year.
The administration is also yet to announce any broader policy position on questions relating to accountability, justice, self-determination or the political aspirations of Eelam Tamils, even as Tamil communities worldwide continue to look towards Tamil Nadu for political support and engagement.
The issue of Eelam Tamils featured prominently during the recent Tamil Nadu election campaign, with several political parties referencing Mullivaikkal, accountability and the long-standing relationship between Tamils across the Palk Strait.
Since assuming office, Vijay has received congratulatory messages from Tamil political representatives in the North-East, diaspora organisations and international Tamil groups, many of whom have called on his government to play a stronger role in advocating for the rights of Eelam Tamils.