April 17, 2013, 7:30 pm
Whenever Tamil Nadu politicians rise against Sri Lanka, our reaction is to disregard them as internal matters of India. We ignore the fact that we have been politically, culturally and geographically linked with Tamil Nadu for centuries. Therefore, we cannot consider them as irrelevant to us. Tamil Nadu politics has an impact on long-term peace that we are trying to establish in Sri Lanka. Recent Tamil Nadu agitation started when Karunanidhi demanded that the Indian government support a US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC. DMK withdrew its support accusing the Manmohan Singh government of watering down the resolution. Then, his arch rival Jayalalithaa joined him by banning Sri Lankan cricketers from Tamil Nadu. It was followed by several attacks on Sri Lankan citizen who were on pilgrimage in India. The agitation against Sri Lanka culminated with the passing of a resolution demanding a UN sponsored referendum to create Eelam in Sri Lanka.
Historical Relationship
South Indian aggression is not new to us. South Indian rulers who invaded Sri Lanka from the 10th to 13th century destroyed early Sri Lankan civilization. Their aggression continued until European powers colonized Sri Lanka and India. Sri Lanka’s historical relationship with South India has never been peaceful.
Modern history is no different. Tamil Nadu fostered Tamil tigers that waged a war with Sri Lanka for three decades for a separate state. They provided money, arms, training and moral support. MGR, who gave his personal wealth to the tigers, played a major role in the early Eelam war. India did not miss the chance and took a ride on the LTTE to expand regional influence. India turned against the LTTE when an LTTE suicide bomber assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Unfortunately, successive Sri Lankan governments have considered Tamil Nadu politics as something immaterial to Sri Lankan politics. And, they have convincing arguments too. One government minister stated that Sri Lanka, as a sovereign state, would deal only with the Indian central government, not with the regional administration. Some argue that the actions of Tamil Nadu politician do not reflect the attitudes of the majority. Daya Master, former LTTE spokesman, now living under government protection, stated that "Tamil Nadu politicians are competing for votes."
However, the reality is that Tamil Nadu politics affects Indian and Sri Lankan relationship in many ways. It was the Tamil Nadu pressure that compelled the Indian government to vote in favour of two US-sponsored resolutions against Sri Lanka at UNHRC. Diplomatic and political support that India extended to Sri Lanka a few years ago being withdrawn. Politicians from both sides are hurling accusation against each other. For example, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who appreciated Indian support to defeat the LTTE a few years ago, surprisingly blamed India for the three decades of conflict. The friendly relationship that Sri Lanka had been maintaining with India a few years ago, is deteriorating.
Durable Peace
Tamil Nadu politics affects durable peace that we are trying to achieve. Open support of Tamil Nadu politicians encourages Tamil militants, who were dormant after the defeat of the LTTE, to wake up and re-start their struggle. Sinhalese, who suspect the motives of the Tamil Nadu politician, consider devolution of power under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution as a step towards separation. So, we cannot ignore what is happening in Tamil Nadu as it has a bearing on peace in Sri Lanka.
Therefore, we must create a close relationship with Tamil Nadu. It is incorrect to believe that we should approach Tamil Nadu only through the central government to defuse the tension. We cannot see the government taking any step to handle the unfavorable political situation in Tamil Nadu at the moment.
At the same time, we must reach the Sri Lankan Tamil people to win their hearts and minds. Unless we create an environment, in which everyone feels that they are treated equally, Tamils will not trust the government. When there is mistrust among people, external forces, including Tamil Nadu politicians, can easily exploit it to their advantage. Therefore, we have to do something more to close the gaps that keep our society divided. In other words, we have to unite as one nation to convert the military victory into a sustainable peace.
Therefore, the time has come to review our relationship with Tamil Nadu, which has a close cross border relationship with us. As Tamil Nadu politics have a propound impact on our peace, we must build a close relationship with it.
KEERTHI IllANGARATNA
island.lk