Pongu Thamil will occur this Saturday, October 29 at 3:00 at Queen’s Park, Toronto. Through this event, Tamil Canadians will unite together and demand for the rights and political aspirations of the Tamil people.
Tamil youth across Toronto have been highly supportive and understanding for the need for a strong voice, and have created awareness materials in which they urge other youth to take part in advocating for the rights of the Tamil people, and showing solidarity, and community through unity.
Pongu Tamil was a movement initiated by Tamil youth at the University of Jaffna; the first celebrations were held in the North and East provinces on January 17, 2001 (Tamilnet, January 2007). The Tamil Diaspora then celebrated similar gatherings all around the world. The Pongu Tamil Movement was a movement that sought to achieve awareness and advocacy through the unity of the Tamil people.
Currently in the Tamil homeland, many atrocities are taking place against the Tamil populations. Human rights violations – murders, disappearances, torture, and rape continues to occur.
Recent violence against Jaffna Tamil University students has sparked a renewed commitment to unity, and advocacy. On October 16, 2011, Jaffna University Student Union Leader, was attacked (Tamilnet, October 2011) for his work in mobilizing students in democratic protests. Other Jaffna University Students who have spoken against this, have also been attacked. The cult of fear, instilled by such events, has been actively initiated in hoping to silence the voices, and rights of these Tamil students.
Together, advocating for the rights of the Tamil people will help garner greater awareness for the atrocities taking place, and the need for a probable solution.
Some of the Awareness Materials:
Carleton University TSA:
University of Toronto Scarborough TSA:
York University TSA:
Pongu Tamil Shopping Bags
Credits:
Tamilnet (October 2011) http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=34526
Tamilnet (October 2011) http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=34560
Tamilnet (January 2007) http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=20956
Tags: News
