The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) might be militarily decimated in Sri Lanka but big neighbour India is not taking any chance. It recently extended the ban against LTTE as an ``unlawful association’’ capable even now of jeopardising ``VVIP security’’ and compromising India’s ``territorial integrity.’’
The notification’s mention of LTTE’s goal of creating a ``Tamil homeland’’ is interesting.
``And, Whereas, the LTTE’s objective for a separate homeland (Tamil Eelam) for all Tamils threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, and amounts to cession and secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union,’’ the gazette notification said.
So, it means that the LTTE’s larger goal – at least according to the Indian government which once trained and nurtured the LTTE – was to carve out a separate country for Tamils comprising members of the community from across the shallow waters of the Palk Strait.
Intriguingly, it added that while the LTTE remnants look upon the Sri Lankan government as ``enemies’’ they look upon the Indian government as ``traitors’’ – or those who were once trusted but have betrayed that trust.
It went on to mention the Tamil diaspora. ``…through articles in the internet portals, the diaspora continue to spread anti-India feeling amongst the Sri Lankan Tamils by holding the top Indian political leaders and bureaucrats responsible for the defeat of the LTTE. Such propaganda through internet… are likely to impact VVIP security adversely in India,’’ the notification said.
{{/usCountry}}It went on to mention the Tamil diaspora. ``…through articles in the internet portals, the diaspora continue to spread anti-India feeling amongst the Sri Lankan Tamils by holding the top Indian political leaders and bureaucrats responsible for the defeat of the LTTE. Such propaganda through internet… are likely to impact VVIP security adversely in India,’’ the notification said.
{{/usCountry}}``Eezham Tamil circles in the diaspora said the notification reflected the guilt related paranoia of New Delhi and Chennai and urged democratic bodies in the diaspora and legal activists in Tamil Nadu to address the false interpretation, politically and legally,’’ the TamilNet website said.
A political scientist in Colombo said India’s ``very specific’’ fears were not surprising and the extension of the ban was expected. The fall-out between India began from the late 1980s. It reached a point-of-no-return with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Eighteen years later came the end of war and India’s quiet support to Colombo’s fight against the rebels. ``But that doesn’t mean Tamil Nadu has no LTTE supporters,’’ he said.