Written By: Human Rights and Advocacy Council of Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance
What started off with 8 students sitting a hunger strike at Loyola College has now become a massive protest involving thousands of students all over Tamil Nadu. Though the students of Loyola College were forced to end their fast once they were arrested on March 11th, news of this coercion spread like a wild fire and led to massive student protests, hunger strikes and road blocks in cities like Chennai, Chidambaram, Chengalpet, Coimbatore, Kumbakonam, Trichy, Tanjore and Tirunelveli. The protests are based on the rejection of the pro-LLRC US resolution and urging for a referendum among the Eelam Tamils for a sovereign Tamileelam as the only just political solution.
September 15, 1987, was the first marking of a young man, Thileepan Anna, whose hunger for the freedom of Tamils was much greater than that of his hunger for food. Thileepan Anna eventually starved himself to death for his people, on September 26, 1987 with high hopes of humanity and justice to prevail. And now, here we are again 25 years later, still starving and in search of a fair resolution.
The students of Loyola College along with many other colleges and universities in Tamil Nadu have begun hunger strikes, protests and road blocks in order to show their support and care for their brothers and sisters who continue to suffer from the actions and decisions of the Sri Lankan government. The students have now been on the strike for days and are asking the Indian Government to demand international investigation on the genocide committed by the Sri Lankan government and conduct a referendum on Tamileelam. Although these students are trying their best to make the world clear of their appeals, there are certain sources – either media or some political groups that have become obstacles in their way. These sources are trying to distort the message of the protestors and claim that these students are pushing for the approval of the current resolution set by the U.S, while their actual request to the Indian government is to reject this resolution, which they believe is inefficient in serving justice to the affected Tamils.
Those involved in the protest are trying to communicate with New Delhi, that the resolution needs to see some major changes. According to one of the leaders of these strikes happening across Tamil Nadu, the American government is simply asking “the murderer to be the policeman” in the situation. America has requested that the government provides the harmed civilians some basic necessities, such as food and clothes. Furthermore, they have asked for the nation to admit that they have also committed genocide over the past few years. According to the protestors in Tamil Nadu, this is not a feasible solution for Tamils, who have lost many innocent lives in the past and continue to be attacked in many different ways.
As the days go by, more and more students are falling ill and are being admitted into hospitals. In addition to this, the government has shut down 400 art and science university across the state to prevent such protests. Nevertheless, these students are determined to remain within the strike and have their demands fulfilled. The power of these youth standing in solidarity is being showcased all over the world, as the news is becoming internationally wide spread. The efforts of our brothers and sisters of Tamil Nadu have now managed to spark the power, drive and determination of Tamil youth all over the world, to stand side by side with them in dealing with this issue.
The Human Rights Advocacy Council of CTYA stands in solidarity with the students of Tamil Nadu who are on strike.
To receive more updates about the hunger strike happening in India, you can hit like on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/tamilnaduhungerstrike
