Crushing defeat for Rajiv Gandhi’s ruling CONG1 party in the recent election held for state legislature in southern India State of Tamil Nadu comes at a point, when strong Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) is grappling with Tamil insurgents in the Northeastern region of Sri Lanka. Besides, being a referendum for Indian Government’s military intervention in Sri Lanka, the elections were the last chance to test the popularity of Indian prime minister, who under constitution has to call general elections by the end of 1989.

However, resounding victory of local nationalist Tamil patty known as DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham), indicates dwindling personal appeal of Rajiv Gandhi and overwhelming denunciation of Indian military intervention in Sri Lanka.

Indian Government sent a strong contingent of more than 50,000 soldiers under a treaty signed with Sri Lankan government more than a year ago, in order to contain powerful Tamil insurgents fighting for the independence of Tamil homeland. Since then IPKF has suffered heavy losses. Until now, it has lost more than 600 soldiers including 35 high ranking officers. India is spending more than 2 million dollars per day to support its adventures in Sri Lanka. In spite of heavy financial and physical loss, India has neither won support from Lanka’s Tamils nor from Sinhalese. Atrocities and brutalities committed by Indian armed forces to subdue Tamils, has touched the nerves of various international human right groups including Amnesty International.

Indian Support Changed To Repression Of Tamils The question remains, why India sent its army in Sri Lanka in spite of previously supporting Tamils both financially and military since early 80’s? Also, why Tamils who were initially projected as freedom fighters, fighting for the preservation of their human rights, turned into a terrorist organization after a brief chain of events? To answer these questions, we have to look back to the religious and geographical background of people inhabiting the southern part of India and Sri Lanka. Culturally and religiously distinct from Indian Hindus, 16 million Tamils live in the southern Indian states, predominantly in Tamil Nadu. Almost 4 million Tamils reside in Sri Lanka, where majority (80%) of population is Sinhalese Buddhists. Besides their geographic proximity, the proud Tamils on both sides of the border are tied together because of their distinct religious cultural and linguistic heritage. As a result, they share each other’s concerns and grievances.

Tamil Hinduism v/s Aryan Hinduism

Tamils are indigenous Indians like American Indians in the United States or Aborigines in Australia, Origin of their culture and religion predates the Christian era. By the turn of the first century, a relatively well established civilization with its own cultural and religious practices

In modern India, Tamils vociferously resisted imposition of Hindi: a language spoken by majority Hindu Aryans… resulting in strained center — state relationship since India got independence in 1947.

had emerged. This has been described in detail in some valuable ancient books such as Tolkappiyam (a grammar written in Tamil textbooks) and by Cankam poets of the first century.

However, Hinduism of Tamil culture started when Brahmins (Hindu priests) started infiltrating their country by the middle of the third century. By the end of the 7th century, Tamil society experienced pervasive Hinduism. As a result, Tamil culture was absorbed into Hinduism as had happened earlier to other locally prevalent religions like Jainism and Buddhism, Later on, their culture was further influenced by Islam and Christianity.

In contrast, the last century and a half have been characterized by the rebirth of Tamil self-consciousness. Their religious shrines have been renovated and their mythical antiquity extolled, The Tamil worshipers again started seeing in their Tamil roots, the sense of togetherness and equality for each individual that transcends caste system practiced by majority Hindus of North India.

This re Hinduism of Tamils and their open resistance to be reabsorbed in the mainstream irked Hindus of north and central India who are descendants of Aryan culture. In modern India, Tamils vociferously resisted imposition of Hindi; the language spoken by majority Aryan Hindus. They have also voiced concerns over imposition of Aryan Hindu culture, resulting in strained center state relationship since India got independence in 1947, They had been advocating for autonomous state for Tamils in India. However, further disenchantment with Indian government, fueled by persecution of their Sri Lankan Tamil brothers inspired them to raise their voice for an independent state where they can have their own rule. The armed encounters with police occurred in 1986 and several banks were robbed. Posters and billboards demanding independent Tamil country appeared in the Tamil landscape. The law and order situation deteriorated. Tamil leaders were put in jails.

Dreading Sikh Movement India Changes Its Stance Already confronted with Sikh separatist demand for independent Khalistan in the north, the Indian Government got concerned with the possibility of dealing with another revolt by Tamil separatist in the south.

It was at that juncture that Indian government understood her mistake of arming Sri Lankan Tamils. All the Indian inspired subversive activities in Sri Lanka were stopped in late 1987. Indian government signed a treaty with her Sri Lankan counterpart guaranteeing only limited autonomy for Tamils in that country. The treaty was ridiculed by both Sri Lankan and Indian Tamils. In order to enforce that treaty, Indian government sent its army and thus, a resign of terror was let loose on Sri Lankan Tamils as they challenged Indian military endeavors.

The Tamil community as a whole, felt abandoned at the hands of Indian government. Their discontent is still growing as India further entangles herself in Sri Lankan affairs. This is reflected in recently held polls in which opposition Tamil nationalist party headed by its dynamic leader Mr. Karunanidhi won by a landslide victory.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 24, 1989