SRI LANKAN TAMILS' CAUSES AND LTTE

The increasing support for the Ealem cause in Tamil Nadu will not surprise those who are acquainted with the topsy turvy of fortunes of the LTTE in Tamil Nadu, their ongoing bloody struggle against the Ealem in Sri Lanka and the incessant efforts for a negotiated peace settlements and abruptly ended cease-fires. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi proved to be the gravest strategic blunder committed by the LTTE. They underestimated the long term impact of this misadventure just in a cinematic revenge as seen only in some potboilers.

But, now it is only natural that yet again LTTE is gaining ground support from some over zealous sympathizers of the Tamil cause. They, however, needs to be reminded of the cold fact that little faith can be reposed on LTTE and how they have frittered away the goodwill it had enjoyed in the South bloc in New Delhi during its pre-assassination period. Its military history also shows that it has scant regard for the human rights insofar as the war games are concerned. They have little qualms in sacrificing the women and children like sacrificial lambs in the altar of armed struggle.

Nevertheless, this does not absolve the Sinhalese chauvinists of their role in fuelling the Tamils’ armed struggle for legitimate, equal rights. No Sri Lankan national leader had the political will to find a viable political solution to the Tamils’ genuine demands for political and social parity. The Buddhist religious preachers also failed in making any contributions to the peace process. Rajiv Gandhi somehow displayed a rare statesmanship in appreciating the Tamil Cause and the dangerous fall-outs of the ethnic War in the neighbouring island. The Sri Lanka Peace Accord was a humble effort to find a middle path for securing peace in the war-torn island nation. But both the Sri Lankan authorities and the LTTE failed to honour the Terms and conditions of the Accord.

Now, it appears that the LTTE propaganda machine and the spin-doctors appear to be burning mid-night oil to drum up the support for LTTE from Tamil Nadu. The sympathisers had better remember that the kind of armed struggle presently engaged in by the LTTE is not an answer to the legitimate sufferings of the Sri Lankan Tamils. Only a negotiated settlement will have a lasting effect. In this, India will be a key player whether or not it is to the liking of the LTTE or the countries inimical to the geo-political interests of India. It will be advisable for the LTTE to turn to the negotiation Table involving India rather than turning to the spin-doctors for Indian Tamils’ support.