EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD says N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India in an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com

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EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD says N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India in an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com

In an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com, N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India, says EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD for the long rooted crisis in Sri Lanka. "...In four decades what we in India had achieved for our States by way of autonomy? Article 356, which empowers Indian Union Government to dismiss State Governments, hangs over the head of every state Chief Minister. Even DMK for no valid reason was dismissed twice misusing this provision. Shall I humbly ask Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to touch his conscience and say whether the autonomy Indian states have will satisfy Eelam Tamils? Or whether it is a worthy end after sacrificing 70,000 Tamil lives in a civil war continuing for decades?..." The full text of the interview follows, Question: News reports state that Government of India had sent some proposals to Srilankan Government for devolution of powers to States on the model of Indian experience at the behest of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanithi’s initiative. What is your opinion?  N.Nandhivarman: If my memory is correct the advocacy of state autonomy is a brainchild of Thamizh Arasu Kazhagam leader M.P.Sivagnanam. In the aftermath of Chinese aggression in 1962 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Aringnar Anna gave up the demand for separate Dravida Nadu and subscribed to state autonomy. In pursuance of this goal within the parameters of Indian Constitution, The Government of Tamil Nadu headed by Kalaignar M.Karunanithi constituted P.V.Rajamannar Committee to study autonomy proposals, I think in 1969. On this committee’s report DMK constituted an inner party committee headed by Murasoli Maran and Era.Chezhian, both then Members of Parliament? At Anna Nagar, in 1970 DMK organized a State Autonomy Conference headed by then Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanithi. Thirty-six years have gone since I as Student DMK leader handed over the State Autonomy Torch in the hands of Kalaignar M.Karunanithi at that conference. Later Sarkaria Commission recommended various measures in furtherance of state autonomy demand. Murasoli Maran’s book on State Autonomy must be read and compared with the practice prevailing in India. State Autonomy still is a mirage we are chasing and we are suggesting that such a mirage will quench the thirst of Eelam people.  In four decades what we in India had achieved for our States by way of autonomy? Article 356, which empowers Indian Union Government to dismiss State Governments, hangs over the head of every state Chief Minister. Even DMK for no valid reason was dismissed twice misusing this provision. Shall I humbly ask Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to touch his conscience and say whether the autonomy Indian states have will satisfy Eelam Tamils? Or whether it is a worthy end after sacrificing 70,000 Tamil lives in a civil war continuing for decades? Scholars opine what we have in India is “Asymmetric Federalism in India” M.Govinda Rao and Nirvikar Singh in a publication by University of California focus on unequal arrangements and special treatment for some units within Indian federalism. These scholars analyze the causes and consequences of asymmetric federalism. Article 370, which gives special powers to Jammu and Kashmir, is an example of asymmetric federalism. The asymmetric arrangements in political, administrative and fiscal relations, asymmetric arrangements arising from constitutional arrangements or conventions evolved over the years and asymmetric treatment due to administrative and political exigencies are also analyzed in that treatise. When we have asymmetric federalism, is it correct to offer our model as a solution to Srilanka? I want to ask Indian experts who have now let the cat out of the bag, as if it is a new formula to solve Eelam ethnic crisis.  Question: What efforts you and your party made in suggesting to resolve this conflict? Nandhivarman: We brought out a White paper on Srilankan Ethnic Conflict and on What India should do towards conflict resolution on 9 th  May 2000. I presided over the seminar. Tamil Maanila Congress Vice President Balaji Ex MLA, Vice President of PMK Thiru.P.Sankaran, Pondicherry PMK Convener M.Manjini Ex MLA, Senthamizhar Iyakkam President N.M.Thamizh Mani, Meenavar Vidhuthalai Vengaikal Convener R.Mangayarselvan, Samata Party State President J.C.Manja, Freedom fighter D.K.Ramanujam Ex MLA, MDMK State Convener S.Muthu Ex MLA, Janata Dal [Secular] State President M.Elango Ex MLA, Professor Muthu Gunesekaran and Professor Lenin Thangappa participated in that open debate on what India should do. It was widely reported in all newspapers.  In that white paper we said: We have been hearing parrot like repetitive statements from policy framers of this country that a political solution within the frame work of a unified nation is alone the only panacea available to resolve the conflict between freedom fighters of Tamil Eelam and the oppressive Sinhalese regime of Srilanka. We must go back in our memory lane to find out what happened to 1] The Bandaranaike-SVJ Selvanayagam Pact of 1957 2] Dudley Senanaike-SVJ Selvanayagam Pact of 1965 3] Indo-Srilanka Accord 4] 13 th Amendment to Lankan Constitution in 1987 5] The Democratic People Alliance proposals of 1988 6] The interim report of Mangala Moonesinghe Parliamentary Select Committee of 1992 7] The Gamini Dissanayake proposals contained in the UNP Manifesto of 1994 8} Draft proposals by Chandrika Government etc.  Twenty-three initiatives between 1957 and 2000 had failed to yield any result. Yet Indian bureaucracy is trying to mislead the Government that political solution is possible within the unitary Constitution of Srilanka. India that cannot resolve Kashmir issue or for that matter the question of sub-nationalism in India is now gearing itself to commit another faux pas in its foreign policy.  This we told in our White Paper in 2000. Situation is back to square one. Once again India advocates what in past had failed to resolve the crisis.  Question: What do you think will resolve the ethnic conflict? N.Nandhivarman: Well in our white papers concluding remark we stated “ Even in matrimony if necessary divorce is one way of conflict resolution accepted in civilized societies.” When both ethnic communities could not live together, divorce is the best option.  4.Question: A separate Eelam will be against India’s geo-political interests, it is being argued. What would you like to say? N.Nandhivarman: The geo-political compulsions and theories woven around such out of tune policies have lost their meaning and relevance in these days of globalization. The geo-political compulsion that compelled India to create Bangladesh had not served Indian interests anyway. Sharing of river waters with Bangladesh is still a thorny issue. Some of our enclaves are even now within Bangladesh and Bangladesh has its enclaves within Indian Territory. This minor territorial adjustment itself could not be accomplished with Bangladesh, which India helped to create. This does not mean it will be same with Eelam. I am only saying humoring Srilanka will not further our geo-political interest. Every nation has its own interest and there will be clash in interest whether it is with Eelam or Unitary Srilanka. Question: What India should do? N.Nandhivarman: New Zealand had shown the way. It sought United Nation intervention to decide about the future of its last colony. This year people of Atoll of Atafu and other tiny islands exercised their franchise to free themselves from colonial rule. If around 644 persons could use ballot boxes to reach road towards freedom, why not India, Norway and other countries urge for United Nations sponsored referendum to decide the future of the people of Tamil Eelam. The referendum whether people want to live under unitary Srilanka or under separate Eelam must be held under the aegis of United Nations and the decision of the people accepted. Question: Why everyone asks what India should do? Do you think world bodies like United Nations have nothing to do? N.Nandhivarman: United Nations must accord same status, which they accorded to Palestine Liberation organization to the freedom fighters of Tamil Eelam. Observer status in United Nations for the representatives of Tamil Eelam is inevitable, essential to take Tamils into confidence towards finding a lasting solution to the ethnic divide and resultant demand for homelands. Question: What help India should do to the refugees and people stranded in Tamil Eelam ? N.Nandhivarman: Less than 10,000 people had reached Indian shores that too paying huge amount to get a lift to shores of safety. Unable to afford, 150000 people are homeless uprooted from their homes and are refugees in their own soil. India must seek United Nations help to send Peace ships to Tamil Eelam areas to ferry refugees to safety in Indian shores. All refugee camps must be brought under United Nations Commissioner for Refugees or International Red Cross. United Nations sponsored International Red Cross ships must be kept ready to give all treatment to the wounded civilians, freedom fighters and anyone caught in the cross fire. Question: Your plans for a Eye Opening Seminar on Indian policies towards Eelam Struggle seems to be running into rough weather? N.Nandhivarman: Venue and other hurdles posed by overenthusiastic bureaucracy will not deter us in opening a public debate in North India about India’s foreign policy. It is our view that for a true democracy to flourish wider public debate is need of the hour. For lack of quorum many important debates in Indian Parliament has few to contribute by way of inputs in ideas, hence people-debating issues is healthy sign. Question: Tamil Nadu Parliament Members can play effective role in highlighting Tamils issues, why they are lagging behind? N.Nandhivarman: John F.Kennedy won Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles in Courage, which lists out Parliamentarians who spoke against racial discrimination. Our Parliament members try to write their profiles in courage and for that must seek more freedom from their party bosses. At least on the line taken in Tamil Nadu assembly, The Tamil Nadu Parliament members can echo the feelings of Tamil people. [ Interviewed by : Thiru N.J.Karthikeyan B.A.B.Ed, B.L  Former Sub-Editor: SUN NEWS Tamil Chennai]

[Dhamy Illungkoo]

Good one and need more support form TN politicians

 

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Subject: EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD says N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India in an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com

 

EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD says N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India in an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com

In an exclusive interview to TamilBrisbane.com, N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai, Pondicherry, India, says EELAM THE ROAD AHEAD for the long rooted crisis in Sri Lanka.

"...In four decades what we in India had achieved for our States by way of autonomy? Article 356, which empowers Indian Union Government to dismiss State Governments, hangs over the head of every state Chief Minister. Even DMK for no valid reason was dismissed twice misusing this provision. Shall I humbly ask Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to touch his conscience and say whether the autonomy Indian states have will satisfy Eelam Tamils? Or whether it is a worthy end after sacrificing 70,000 Tamil lives in a civil war continuing for decades?..." The full text of the interview follows,

Question: News reports state that Government of India had sent some proposals to Srilankan Government for devolution of powers to States on the model of Indian experience at the behest of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanithi’s initiative. What is your opinion?  N.Nandhivarman: If my memory is correct the advocacy of state autonomy is a brainchild of Thamizh Arasu Kazhagam leader M.P.Sivagnanam. In the aftermath of Chinese aggression in 1962 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Aringnar Anna gave up the demand for separate Dravida Nadu and subscribed to state autonomy. In pursuance of this goal within the parameters of Indian Constitution, The Government of Tamil Nadu headed by Kalaignar M.Karunanithi constituted P.V.Rajamannar Committee to study autonomy proposals, I think in 1969. On this committee’s report DMK constituted an inner party committee headed by Murasoli Maran and Era.Chezhian, both then Members of Parliament? At Anna Nagar, in 1970 DMK organized a State Autonomy Conference headed by then Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanithi. Thirty-six years have gone since I as Student DMK leader handed over the State Autonomy Torch in the hands of Kalaignar M.Karunanithi at that conference. Later Sarkaria Commission recommended various measures in furtherance of state autonomy demand. Murasoli Maran’s book on State Autonomy must be read and compared with the practice prevailing in India. State Autonomy still is a mirage we are chasing and we are suggesting that such a mirage will quench the thirst of Eelam people.  In four decades what we in India had achieved for our States by way of autonomy? Article 356, which empowers Indian Union Government to dismiss State Governments, hangs over the head of every state Chief Minister. Even DMK for no valid reason was dismissed twice misusing this provision. Shall I humbly ask Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to touch his conscience and say whether the autonomy Indian states have will satisfy Eelam Tamils? Or whether it is a worthy end after sacrificing 70,000 Tamil lives in a civil war continuing for decades? Scholars opine what we have in India is “Asymmetric Federalism in India” M.Govinda Rao and Nirvikar Singh in a publication by University of California focus on unequal arrangements and special treatment for some units within Indian federalism. These scholars analyze the causes and consequences of asymmetric federalism. Article 370, which gives special powers to Jammu and Kashmir, is an example of asymmetric federalism. The asymmetric arrangements in political, administrative and fiscal relations, asymmetric arrangements arising from constitutional arrangements or conventions evolved over the years and asymmetric treatment due to administrative and political exigencies are also analyzed in that treatise. When we have asymmetric federalism, is it correct to offer our model as a solution to Srilanka? I want to ask Indian experts who have now let the cat out of the bag, as if it is a new formula to solve Eelam ethnic crisis.  Question: What efforts you and your party made in suggesting to resolve this conflict?

Nandhivarman: We brought out a White paper on Srilankan Ethnic Conflict and on What India should do towards conflict resolution on 9 th  May 2000. I presided over the seminar. Tamil Maanila Congress Vice President Balaji Ex MLA, Vice President of PMK Thiru.P.Sankaran, Pondicherry PMK Convener M.Manjini Ex MLA, Senthamizhar Iyakkam President N.M.Thamizh Mani, Meenavar Vidhuthalai Vengaikal Convener R.Mangayarselvan, Samata Party State President J.C.Manja, Freedom fighter D.K.Ramanujam Ex MLA, MDMK State Convener S.Muthu Ex MLA, Janata Dal [Secular] State President M.Elango Ex MLA, Professor Muthu Gunesekaran and Professor Lenin Thangappa participated in that open debate on what India should do. It was widely reported in all newspapers.