K. S. Venkataraman writes that while the LTTE is not there now, there is much to be learned for peace to be established in Sri Lanka

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LTTE: An Epitaph

LTTE was; is not there now. In Dynamic Youth (March 09), T Joseph Benziger wrote sorrowfully:

Having taken resort to wrong methods with vengeance, the LTTE has become a criminal and loathsome organization in the eyes of the world. It has become victim of parochialism, adoption of wrong policies and programs, and blunder of choice of violence.

The entire Tamil population in Sri Lanka has suffered beyond limits for about five decades. Those who sowed the ideas of separation of Tamil Eezham, those who misled the LTTE and supported its wrong moves, and those who gave them wrong hopes have not been the sufferers. They are well off with their families and friends in safe places of the world!

Of all the countless blunders committed by the LTTE, the worst was the annihilation of responsible Tamil political leaders in Sri Lanka as well as abroad. The number of LTTE’s terrorist crimes steadily increased and it wrongly believed that terrorism and militarism would bring success. The Hindu in its editorial on May 19, 2009 has observed:

It might have been very different had an organization that started out, in the 1970s, with some kind of emancipatory political vision and even idealism not turned Pol Potist in its extremism, cruelty, and horrific disregard for human life and welfare… As the years went by and numerous proposals for a negotiated political solution fell by the wayside, the one thing that remained constant was the LTTE’s uncompromising secessionism and militarism, and the rising graph of its terrorist crimes, which included the assassination of a former Indian Prime Minister, a Sri Lankan President, a Foreign Minister, a presidential contender, and numerous democratic Tamil leaders, the massacre of Sinhala and Muslim civilians, ethnic cleansing, child conscription, and economic offences of various kinds.  

By forcing a boycott of the Sri Lankan presidential election in November 2005 LTTE brought about the defeat of Ranil Wickremasinghe, who had some belief in ceasefire and negotiation; and made the election of Mahinda Rajapaksa possible!

Unfortunately LTTE virtually killed all normal political involvement of the Tamilian population in Sri Lanka. It simply killed not merely individuals of different political leanings; it finished off institutions like the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), and the People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). LTTE began to express violence on July 27, 1975 when Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappah was simply butchered! From then on, several leaders, who championed the causes of Tamilians of Sri Lanka in their own ways, were assassinated by the LTTE, like A Amirthalingam in 1989, Neelam Tiruchelvan in 1999 and so on.

LTTE has been destroyed by its own folly and terrorist deeds. In general, taking Tamil population of Sri Lanka, LTTE has not done anything good to it; only caused havoc to them, even in the last stages, by holding a large number of Tamil civilians as hostages and using them as shield to protect them, hoping against hope that by orchestrating political gimmicks abroad some unexpected opening for survival would appear! Understandably, it never happened.

The Role of Indian Politicians

The role of Indian politicians, especially those of Tamil Nadu deserves a deep study. The idea of secessionism was sown in the minds of Tamilians of Sri Lanka mainly by the politicians of Tamil Nadu, who themselves had such secessionist ideas in the early period of Indian independence. In India, they conveniently and cleverly gave up officially such ideas; but in Sri Lanka the damage had been done. The support given to the LTTE by the Indian government and Indian political leaders in the early stages is part of history.

At least a section of Sri Lankan Tamilians should have believed that their Indian political friends would support them in a big way, making establishment of Tamil Eezham possible. They did not understand that their Indian friends were seriously building a career for themselves and should not be taken seriously.

As a democratic neighbor and having traditional relationship and connections, nobody can say that Indian interference was incorrect. But the support should have been for development of a strong political leadership; for strengthening democratic values and convictions; for making the Sri Lankan government realize that they could not treat Tamilian population as second grade citizens and get away with it. Indian government should have used its good offices to influence the Sri Lankan government to stop any discrimination in the country against the Tamilians.

When Indian government, which initially contributed to the growth of the LTTE as a terrorist organization based on the advice of the Tamil Nadu politicians, gained a correct perception and wanted to correct itself, it was too late. The sound and sagacious advice of Indian leadership was not acceptable to the LTTE; and it did not want anybody else in Sri Lank to accept it. Having, by that time, become hardened in its terrorist stance, the LTTE had become strong enough to dispatch a team to India and assassinate Rajiv Gandhi;

Even though it was very clear that the problem of the Tamilians in Sri Lanka had only become more complicated by the LTTE; though it was evidently a case of remedy becoming worse than disease; some of the politicians in India did not hesitate to make the most of the Sri Lankan human rights problem to their own advantage and gain mileage out of it.

At least now, it would be good, if Indian politicians act honestly and try to help the suffering mass of Tamil population in Sri Lanka and offer packages of assistance that would practically ensure peace and prosperity to them.

It is a good thing that the political leaders of Tamil Nadu who were talking like terrorists themselves about the Sri Lankan issue have been snubbed by the people.

It is encouraging to note that when Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa spoke to Indian External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee to inform of the victory over the LTTE, Pranab has replied that the root causes of the conflict should be addressed now. He has said:¹

It is our view that as the conventional conflict in Sri Lanka comes to an end, this is the moment when the root causes of conflict in Sri Lanka can be addressed. This would include political steps towards the effective devolution of power within the Sri Lankan Constitution so that Sri Lankans of all communities, including the Tamils, can feel at home and lead lives of dignity of their own free will. 

Root Causes of the Conflict

I wish to reproduce what T Joseph Benziger wrote earlier in March 09:²

If Sri Lankan government considers the annihilation of the LTTE as a major victory, it means that they have not learnt the obvious lesson. The major victory lies in healing the wounds in the minds of Tamilians; in embracing the Tamilians as citizens of Sri Lanka with equal rights and opportunities; in rehabilitating the people who have suffered severe losses because of the internal war; in bringing about emotional integration of the entire population of Sri Lanka; and in preventing any possibility of rift developing among the Tamilians and other sections of Sri Lankan citizens. The government should identify any selfish leader trying to sow the seeds of dissension among the people based on divisions such as Hindu vs. Buddhists and Tamil vs. Sinhalese as the enemy of the country and effectively prevent him from playing dirty political games.

It is worthwhile to remember what Mr. Kaarthikeyan, who led the special investigation team for Rajiv Gandhi assassination, has said that the elimination of the LTTE only meant doing away with the symptom; the root cause was still there. He has observed:³

The short-sighted majoritarian policies of the Sri Lankan government ignored the democratic representation of senior Tamil leaders and made them irrelevant. That is where militancy was born. Implementing the Indo-Sri Lankan accord is still a good option.

This victory over the LTTE cannot undo the injustices perpetrated against innocent Tamilians in Sri Lanka.. It cannot hide the fact that the beginning of the conflict was the arrogant and blunt refusal of the Sinhalese people to treat the Tamilians as their compatriots with equal rights and duties; and the support given by the former Sri Lankan governments to such unjustified discriminations. The severe hurt of a sizeable section of Sri Lankan Tamil population has been the root cause of this armed conflict. It is true that lives have been lost on both sides; but the majority of the lives lost have been those of the Tamilians.

In the modern age, it is utter folly to deny the rights of a section of the people on the ground of real or alleged age-old happenings. Anybody who is born in a country is a natural citizen of that country; and he or she should have the same rights and obligations in that country like any other citizen.

If this fundamental principle is not sincerely practiced, a crooked section of political rogues would always come forward with all sorts of cock and bull stories and twist the history of the country; and create disharmony among the people. This is what happened in Sri Lanka, unfortunately with the encouragement of a section of the ‘politicians’ of Tamilnadu; unavoidably leading to a serious conflict in which about 75000 people have lost their lives.

Lessons to be Learnt

For the humankind, the long and frightening LTTE episode offers many valuable lessons. It is worthy of studying in detail by the political scientists and human rights activists all over the world. Let me mention the foremost lessons that occur to me.

If a section of people forming minority is harassed by the powerful majority at one stage the minority would be surely forced to take up ‘armed struggle’. The results would be bad not only for the minority but also to the majority. The people of the concerned country should understand that it is great folly to drive helpless persons to opt for violence. For all the suffering and loss of human lives, the minority-turned-violent alone is not responsible; really, the majority that induced it is primarily responsible for them. No solution imposed by violence of the terrorists or of the army would last on a permanent basis.

If a section of people, ignored and insulted in a country, opts for secessionism and militarism, guided and encouraged by the politicians of other countries, they are only buying trouble for themselves.

The people should understand that they should never accept the leadership of those who advocate disharmony and hatred. Selfishness and arrogance should be overcome only by logical and lawful means.

The so called leaders who want the people of today to fight among themselves for their purported interpretations of history are perverts, who should be treated with contempt; certainly, such persons would become megalomaniacs if allowed to grow, in due course.  The real leader would ceaselessly work for unity, better understanding, amiable relationship among various sections of the society and progress. He would never swerve from the path of harmony and justice. He would try to bring all the sections of the people together.

Encouraging Turns

Partially at least, we may consider the LTTE as the Frankenstein’s Master created by India. When the LTTE came of age, India also had to bear the brunt of it. But in this case, greater suffering happened to the Tamilians of Sri Lanka. India may try to free itself from this sin by helping substantially the remaining Tamilian population of Sri Lanka to regain normalcy. It is a good thing that it seems that India is going to do exactly this.

The government of India has announced an aid package of Rs.500 crores for Sri Lankan Tamilians. Indian Foreign minister has distinguished himself from many half-baked lots in Indian politics by affirming the importance of political solution. He has added:

… Of course maintaining the territorial integrity of that country and (being) within the framework of Sri Lankan constitution is of paramount importance.

It would also be helpful if India controls the section of its ‘politicians’ who want to make hay while sun shines by politicizing the problem of Sri Lankan Tamilians in India. By spreading dissension and hatred they had contributed to a prolonged, tragic chapter in the history of Sri Lankan Tamilians. Indian government should take care that the same technique is not used again by them as a short-cut to gain political prominence. Sri Lankan Tamilians have already suffered ineffably because of the interference of Tamil Nadu politicians. At least now allow Sri Lankan Tamilians to get their wounds healed; to join the mainstream of Sri Lankan political system; to work for reconciliation and assured free life with dignity and unity.

Let not the politicians of Tamil Nadu do anything like the proverbial mother-in-law staying with her daughter and ruining her peaceful, happy life with her husband and children.

Sri Lankan President Mr. Rajapaksa, while announcing the end of the internal war, has said:⁴

At this victorious moment, it is necessary for us to state with great responsibility that we do not accept a military solution as the final solution… the responsibility we accept after freeing the Tamil people from the LTTE is a responsibility that no government in the history of Sri Lanka has accepted.

The President has made it clear that it was necessary to extend to Tamil people the freedom that was the right of people in all other parts of the country. He has observed:

Similarly it is necessary that the political solutions they need should be brought closer to them faster than any country or government in the world would bring. However, it cannot be an imported solution. It is necessary that we find a solution that is our very own. It should be a solution acceptable to all sections of the people… It is the LTTE that has put the Tamil community to their lowest position in history. Those who raised their voices for the protection of the terrorists, and all those who helped the terrorists should now fall at the feet of these Tamil mothers and seek their pardon. Those who live abroad and supported the terrorists with funds, if they have any love for their own people, should leave no room for terrorism again… We must be now ready to direct our motherland to that new era of national revival.

The President has added that the great battle for national revival would be waged with the aim of raising the living standards of the Tamil people who lived in the North and East. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Vijay Nambiar, the special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General has discussed with the President Rajapaksa the ground situation in the North as well as the welfare of 2.75 lakh displaced Tamilians. Later this week, Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations Secretary General visits Sri Lanka, in response to an invitation of the Sri Lankan President.

Thus far, the LTTE did not allow any other individual or institution to speak or work for the Tamilians of Sri Lanka in any representative capacity. This had created a peculiar situation. The international community, including those Sri Lankans settled abroad, who wanted to do something helpful for the Tamilians, could only think of the LTTE, whether they liked it or not. Now the position has changed. There are chances for new honest public-spirited institutions to emerge from the Tamil community of Sri Lanka. The involvement of the United Nations is also a plus point.

Epilogue

At last, a few words to Sri Lankan Tamilians:

The agony all of you have undergone in the last few decades is beyond words. Passage of time alone could heal your physical and mental wounds. Under such precarious circumstances, it becomes all the more necessary for human beings to think clearly and act with patience, courage and goodwill.

Forgetting the past, especially under these circumstances, is easier said than done. But the nature of life is like that. You have to forget the past and make the most of the constructive opportunities offered.

Luckily, now Sri Lankan government talks sense. The  President has promised to extend equal rights to Tamils. He has also invited Sri Lankan citizens staying abroad to come back to their motherland. Please do not give an opportunity for them to say that their reconciliatory measures were spurned by the Tamilians. Firmly ask for your rights and shares but do not show belligerence.

Please do not lend your ears to those, especially the dishonest politicians of Tamil Nadu, who try to push you again in the path of aggression and destruction.

For all those who were born in Sri Lanka, it is the motherland. Make it a reality. Build your own political organizations, aiming at your long term welfare; and, do not fall prey to those who use their rhetoric to sow hatred in your minds and encourage you to hate others.

Your real friends and Diaspora would wish and pray for the return of peace and prosperity in your lives. They may help you financially. They may offer you friendship, goodwill and cooperation. They can never fight your wars.  

It is urgent and important to help the Tamilians of Sri Lank to come alive again; regain all their human rights and live with peace and prosperity in Sri Lanka. It is more important not to mislead them again on the path of self-destruction.

References

1.                             The New Indian Express, Chennai May 19,2009

2.                             Dynamicyouth, March 2009 (www.dynamicyouth.org)

3.                             The Hindu, May 19, 2009

4.                             The Hindu, May 20, 2009

K S Venkataraman is the Associate Editor, Dynamic Youth online magazine dedicated to Global Youth Development. (www.dynamicyouth.org) He may be reached through dynamicyouth_development@yahoo.com