Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday advocated a flexible approach to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, warning that antagonising the Sinhalese would not be in the best interest of Tamils.
“If we are truly interested in protecting Tamils, we should not further provoke Sinhalese anger,” he said, replying to a special calling attention motion in the Assembly. “My statement should not be construed as speaking in favour of the Sinhalese and called them our relatives,” Mr. Karunanidhi clarified.
Referring to the demands to bring Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to book, the Chief Minister said the real issue was how to better the lives of the Tamils.
“This can be achieved only through the Sinhalese government and the Indian government should put pressure.”
While recalling the earlier demand of the political parties, including the DMK, for the creation of a Tamil Eelam, the Chief Minister said “state autonomy for Tamils” as argued by PMK leader G.K. Mani alone would be possible now.
“We have to fight to secure the rights and status for Tamils on a par with the Sinhalese and devolution of powers.”
Likening the call for the creation a separate Eelam to the call for the creation of Dravida Nadu made by former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, Mr. Karunanidhi said Annadurai gave up his demand to save the party (DMK).
“Anna argued that we needed the party to raise the demand for the creation of Dravida Nadu.”
Mr. Karunanidhi said, “No one will be happier than us if a democratically elected government of Tamils, which includes the majority Sinhalese, rules Sri Lanka. (The Hindu)
