Remembering Rajiv on Fifteenth Death Anniversary
May 21st, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Fifteen years ago on this day (May 21st) Rajiv Gandhi was killed at a place called Sriperumbhudoor in Tamil Nadu. He was not prime minister then. An election campaign was going on to elect a new Lok Sabha or Parliament. The Congress led by Rajiv was the front runner. After Rajiv’s death it was a Congress government that assumed office under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.
Death came in the form of Dhanu a young Tamil woman from Sri Lanka. Dressed in a churidar she came up to the smiling Rajiv and garlanded him. The chubby, dark – skinned, be – spectacled girl bent low to touch his feet as a mark of respect. Then came the explosion. A bomb strapped to her body was triggered off. Rajiv Ganhi was no more. Eighteen died and many others injured in the suicide bomber attack.
The date of Rajiv Gandhi’s death has poignant significance for me. May 21st is the date of my birth day. Thereafter his memory looms large on each birthday. My birth and his death which happened thirty – seven years later are inter – twined in my consciousness. It is hard to believe that fifteen years have passed since his death.
I recall discussing Rajiv’s death with then “Frontline” Editor Narasimhan Ram on the telephone. Both of us could not believe then that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was responsible. It was a time when influential journalists in Chennai were trying hard to bring about rapprochement between Rajiv and the LTTE. The well – known Tamil poet Kasi Anandan (Kathamuthu Sivanandan) had met Rajiv Gandhi in March that year. The London based financial consultant Arjuna Sittambalam had met Rajiv some weeks later.Both were regarded as pro – tiger emissaries.
It appeared that the stage was being set for some kind of political reconciliation. The Indian establishment at that time was more angry with Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa for booting out the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) than the LTTE which fought the Indian army. Earlier Rajiv had told “Murasoli” Maran that he was prepared to discuss even a “de – facto” Eelam with the LTTE if necessary.
It was against this backdrop that we felt the LTTE would not have committed this murder. I wrote an article then for “Frontline” in which I argued the pros and cons. It was overwhelmingly against the chances of the tigers being responsible. Yet I ended the piece with the line that if the LTTE was indeed responsible the ultimate losers will be the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias “Col” Kittu then in London argued passionately with me that the tigers were not responsible. He sincerely believed then that his movement was not responsible. It was Kittu acting at the behest of his leader who was instrumental in sending emissaries to meet Rajiv Gandhi.
He was doing so because Velupillai Prabakharan had ordered him to do so. I was quite close to Kittu then and also played a minor role in these efforts. Though I had been critical of Rajiv Gandhi and the IPKF earlier the wisdom of hindsight had made me realise that the Tamils could not afford to be alienated from India in the long term..
Alas! All those hopes and the efforts of those Indian Journalists who in association with Kittu arranged for the meetings with Rajiv were all dashed when it became clearly established that the tigers were responsible for the killing. What has happened thereafter is a progressive estrangement between “Mother” India and her “Eelam” Tamil children. The people of Tamil Nadu in particular were hurt and angry.
Jayalalitha Jayaram swept the polls in Tamil Nadu. The DMK regarded as being partisan towards the LTTE was vanquished. Only its leader Karunanidhy managed to scrape through with 800 vote lead. Jayalalitha followed a hard, strict policy towards Tamil refugees in the state. Even educational opportunities were restricted. Harassment became the order of the day. Thousands of Tamils who preferred to live in Tamil Nadu because of the Tamil ethos reluctantly relocated to the west.
More importantly the Indian public mood changed. India had welcomed Tamil refugees in 1983 and looked after them. Now they were made to feel unwelcome. Sri Lankan Tamils were regarded as having abused Indian hospitality.The LTTE was officially banned. Indian policy towards Sri Lanka changed. No longer was the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils paramount in Indian calculations. Having banned the LTTE India found itself unable to interact with the Tamils as it had done before. That situation prevails still though some improvement is there.
The LTTE had a golden opportunity to salvage the situation a little in April 2002 when Prabakharan held his famous press conference in Kilinochchi. When Indian journalists raised the issue of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination the LTTE leader could have been apologetic. Some remorse could have been displayed. This could have demonstrated that the killing was regretted and the tigers were sorry. Instead Anton Balasingham called it a “thunbiyal sambhavam” (tragic incident) and asked journalists not to dig into it. This perhaps made the situation worse.
The killing of Rajiv Gandhi was arguably the single most harmful act inflicted upon themselves by the tigers. Not only the tigers but all Sri Lankan Tamils by extension were affected. Fifteen years later it remains as the biggest stumbling block to better relations between India and the Tamils.
I was in Jaffna when the IPKF – LTTE fighting began. I saw the atrocities and civilian killings first hand. When I returned to Colombo and exposed these in “The Island” I was arrested and detained. It was this and consequent harassment that made me leave Sri Lanka then.
There was a time when my relationship with the Indian High Commission people in Colombo was excellent. I was “Hindu” correspondent then. Other Indian journalists used to call me the blue – eyed boy” of the IHC. Yet my relationship soured because I criticised the IPKF , some aspects of the Indo – Lanka accord and Rajiv Gandhi. I was even fired by “The Hindu” for trying to expose IPKF rapes.
I was for some time very bitter about Rajiv Gandhi and the Indian role in Sri Lanka. But time changes things. Rajiv’s assassination was a shock. However much one may be critical of a person no decent human being would want that person to die or worse still be killed in this gruesome fashion.
As time went on my thoughts about the Indian role and Rajiv Gandhi too began to change. Looking at the predicament of the Tamils now I feel that the Indo – Lanka accord with all its short – comings would have been much better for Tamils in particular and Sri Lanka in general if it had been allowed to be implemented..
The Indo – Lanka accord has provisions that changed Sri Lanka for the better. The accord recognized the reality of Sri Lanka being a multi – ethnic , multi – religious nation and not a mono – ethnic, mono – religious entity as proclaimed by majoritarian chauvinists. It also acknowledged the North – East to be the historic habitat of the Tamils and Muslims.
The accord also brought about the North – East merger. It afforded Official language status to Tamil. More importantly it brought about a scheme of devolution. The Provincial Councils were introduced because of the Indo – Lanka pact. The powers had to be reduced due to the tricky situation of getting it past the Supreme Court. The SC decision was five to four with three of those Judges voting in favour coming from the minority communities.
The Indians had plans of enhancing devolution on a staggered basis. They had obtained an assurance in writing from JR Jayewardene to that effect. One of the changes envisaged was doing away with the concurrent list of powers. But then the Provincial Council was never allowed to function properly in the North – East. Today PC’s are active in the Sinhala areas but not in the North – East for whose people it was mainly intended for.
I recall High Commissioner Dixit, Political secretary Hardeep Singh Puri and information secretary Lakshmi Puri trying to convince me in discussions that the Indo – Lanka accord was the best possible deal that the Tamils could have obtained at that time. Historically it was the highest quantum of Tamil rights recognized by the Sinhala dominated state. “lets work it out and improve it further” they would say. But I would have none of it.
Appapillai Amirthalingam and I were engaged in a heated argument once about the Indo – Lanka accord. I remember him repeating again and again ” I am telling you from experience. The Sinhala state will never accept our rights without outside intervention. We need India to help us. If the Indian army goes off before our rights are ensured our people particularly those in the East and Vavuniya will be finished”.
Belatedly I realise the wisdom in those views. I too wanted the Indians out then. I was happy when the N – E provincial council was dissolved. But what has happened now? After years of strife and sacrifice the Tamil people have not achieved anything tangible. Multitudes have died or been maimed, economy is shattered, people dispersed, values brutalised, culture eroded and dwellings destroyed. Yet the Tamils have nothing.
The LTTE may have built a military machine. But practically it is of no use other than to perpetuate misery , destruction and loss if the LTTE do not go in for meaningful negotiations..Even the LTTE had lost only 711 cadres at the time of the Indo – Lanka accord. Today they have lost more than 19,000.Compared to this situation the Indo – Lanka accord if implemented would certainly have been better.
It is with this mindset therefore that I think of Rajiv Gandhi. Though critical of him then I realise now that he was trying to do the right thing by the Tamils and Sri Lanka. N. Ram now Editor – in – chief of “The Hindu” was to tell me once that Rajiv Gandhi despite his blunders was genuinely sincere in trying to resolve the ethnic problem in Lanka. Other Indian journalists have also told me that Rajiv really felt sorry for the Tamils and wanted to usher in a fair deal for them. I also subscribe to these sentiments now.
Rajiv was the great grandson of Mothilal Nehru. The grandson of Jawarhalal. Son of Indira and Feroze Gandhi. He belonged to what was modern India’s greatest political dynasty. Yet he was reluctant to enter politics. It was the plane accident that killed his brother Sanjay which made Rajiv enter politics. Otherwise he would have been quite content to be flying planes. His mother’s assassination catapulted him into the Prime Minister’s seat.
I was in India covering the momentous election of Dec 1984 when Rajiv Gandhi won with a landslide. It was the biggest margin of victory enjoyed by the Congress till then. With his handsome features and attractive smile Rajiv was India’s darling. He brought modern methods into politics. Initially Rajiv with Arun Nehru and Arun Singh formed a trio at the helm. The three “P”s they were called (Pilotwalla, Polishwalla and paintwalla).
Rajivs mission was to take India into the 21st century. That was not to be but today India has entered that century and is doing gloriously well. The dynasty too flourishes. His widow Sonia is the power that rules India. His dashing son Rahul is an MP. His vivacious daughter Priyanka reminding many of grand ma Indira will be a political force to be reckoned with in the future. Even his sister inlaw Maneka and nephew Varun are in politics though at the other end of the political spectrum.
After Rajiv Gandhi became premier he brought about two praiseworthy political settlements in the domestic sphere. One was the pact with Punjab sikhs and the other the accord with Assamese student activists. It was in the wake of these agreements that he accelerated efforts to resolve the Sri Lankan crisis. He was a man in a hurry and people in a hurry often make mistakes.
He removed veteran G. Parthasarathy and sent the high flying Romesh Bhandari as his special envoy to Colombo. Rajiv made a significant departure from his mother’s strategy when he brought in the militants for talks. Indira and GP kept the militants out and relied on the TULF alone for negotiations. Five militant groups were kept on par with the TULF at the Thimhu talks. Being in haste the originally envisaged extended time frame of the staggered ceasefire was telescoped into short duration. The talks failed but not due to this reason alone.
Later Rajiv got into a “huff” with foreign secretary AP Venkateshwaran which led to the latter’s resignation. This was a great loss as APV was fully cognizant with the Lankan issues. Then came Natwar Singh, P. Chidamparam and even Dinesh Singh as emissaries.. In Colombo it was Dixit who did the spade work ably assisted by the Puris.
It was a matter of touch and go. It was the Indian air drop that prevented Jaffna peninsula being overrun by the Lankan Army in 1987. Had Sri Lanka resisted the air drop of supplies by India things may have been different. India was not taking any chances and had made preparations for such an eventuality.
Even if a de jure Eelam had not come into being a de facto Eelam like that of Turkish Cypris may have been there. But the crafty Junius knew when to bow his head. This Jayewardene did and New Delhi was happy. Negotiations were on and soon came the Indo – Lanka accord. It had its short comings but could have been improved if allowed to work. This was not to be.
Rajiv won the world’s admiration and respect when he went to Colombo to sign the accord. The Tamils on the whole were happy then. I remember writing a piece “Why Tamil eyes are smiling” for the “Island” then. Rajiv had a nasty experience when a naval rating took a swipe at him with his rifle during the guard of honour. Rajiv saw it from the corner of his eye and deftly sidestepped taking the blow on his shoulder instead of head.
When Rajiv returned President Venkatraman defied convention and came to the air port to receive him. “The hazards of waging peace” said Venkatraman aptly describing the situation. If that blow was fatal Indo – Lanka history may have been different. Then came the war with the LTTE. A confident Rajiv said “It will be a short. swift strike. Our boys will be back home soon”.
How wrong he was. The IPKF – LTTE war dragged on. Tamil civilians suffered and many harboured deep antipathy towards India. Finally India was outsmarted when the LTTE aligned with Premadasa to drive the third party out.
Then Rajiv himself lost elections. The Bofors scandal had raised its head. Had Rajiv lived longer this issue itself may have been detrimental to his image. But that was not to be. The explosion at Sriperumbhudoor changed all that and the course of history.
Fifteen years have passed since Rajiv Gandhi’s death. Is not the time opportune now for the “Eelam” Tamils to express their regrets publicly. I am informed by knowledgeable Indian circles that one thing troubling Sonia and the children is the fact that there has been no apology made so far publicly. Private expressions yes but no public or collective _expression. What hurts the family is the fact that Rajiv really wanted to do good for the Tamils.
When the 1983 July violence happened the Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala Rt. Rev Lakshman Wickremasinghe wrote a letter publicly apologising to the Tamils. The ailing Bishop was not in the Country at the time and certainly had no hand in the violence. Yet he spoke of collective guilt and stated his views openly. I speak from experience in saying that Bishop Lakshman’s act helped soothe to a great extent the pain and sorrow felt by many Tamils then.
The truth and reconciliation Commission of South Africa is another example where years of animosity are overwhelmed when frank admissions of guilt and genuine expressions of remorse are stated. Rajiv Gandhi may have been killed by the LTTE and except for a few the Tamil people have had no hand in that, but a collective _expression of genuine regret could certainly help change the current status quo.
Let us remember Rajiv on the fifteenth anniversary of his death for the good intentions and actions taken in pursuance of those. Let us remember him as the man who wanted to usher in a fair deal for Sri Lankans in general and Tamils in particular. Let us commemorate his fifteenth death anniversary with the admission that the accord he signed on July 29th 1987 remains still the best possible settlement to the Tamil national question ever made so far.
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Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
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26 Comments Add your own
1. Gloria Abraham | May 23rd, 2007 at 2:53 am
Good article. Indo – Lanka accord gave many benefits to Tamils. But what is situation now. Mahinda Rajapakse has taken most rights and benefits out. When SLFP proposals become law remaining ones will also go
2. KK Nathan | May 23rd, 2007 at 5:59 am
About giving apology for Rajiv killing. Anton Balasingam before dying did that in TV interview. SP thamilselvan condemned Anton in another interview for doing that. How about that?
3. raj dans | May 25th, 2007 at 12:18 am
The greatest leader India ever had been Mrs. Indira Gandhi. She was murdered by her own body guard in the name of his own community ? Sikhs.
Do the Indians hate the Sikhs for what he did?
Instead, haven?t they made another Sikh as their own national Leader?
Why on earth only the Tamils of Sri-Lanka to be hated buy some Indians?
Is that because the Sri-Lankan Tamils are considered as inferior?
Yes, we apologies for what had happen.
What about India officially apologizing for what atrocity they did to the innocent Sri-Lankan Tamils in their own home land?
Can the Indians forget the pass and move forward relationally in a humane way?
4. Payilvan | May 25th, 2007 at 3:31 am
Do anybody remember the 7000 Tamils who were killed by Indian miliatry? Do anybody care several Tamil women who were raped by the Indian miliatay? Do anybody feel sorry for the people who were terrified, displaced, disabled, and injured by the Indian military?
Indian government never apologies for any of these atrocities they committed against Tamils. I think Tamils are really fools and idiots.
5. Muthu | May 25th, 2007 at 4:51 am
It is indeed sad that Mr.Rajiv died. All humanbeing are born to live a full life. Every one should accept it and follow it. Mr.Rajiv inspite of his good thinking always did bad. A very good example is the way he put an end to Mr.A.P.Venakateswaran. He brought in Mr.Bandari to look after most of his jobs in South Block. This has made Mr.Rajiv take unwise decisions. The devlopment of India is mostly due to the work of Mr.P.V.Narasima Rao then to any of his predecessors.
Regarding SL Tamils, There are a number of Tamil civilians in SL who have suffered equally or worse than what Mr.Rajiv’s family had or are undergoing. So, I sincerely believe that we Indians have a moral duty to say sorry to SL Tamils. I really feel sorry for the troubles that have happened and are to happen to SL Tamils. Sorry and forgive us the Indians.
6. varakuna-switzerland | May 25th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Remembering Rajiv Gandhis 15th anivesary with 1000
of innocent Srilankan tamils who was killed by his own
army.Mr.DBSj said loosers are tamils because of his
tragig death.all the tamils who was killed by Indian army
also humans,only the diffrence is Rajiv came from Nehru
family and the srilankan tamils came from poor and no dynasty family background.
7. Suresh M | May 25th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Hindsight is always 20/20!.
I have been closely following Elam politics since late seventies from my teen, and often disagreeing with my own father in support of TULF. He was in the opinion that TULF, especially Late. Amirthalingam was exploiting Tamil youth by wiping up militancy in his speeches promising Elam, and was riding the back of militants. He even predicted that will lead the Tamil society to a disaster, not Elam. He was right, even worst, and sadly I was wrong. When they were needed in Lanka, after 1983 massacre/looting of Tamils, TULF leadership chose to reside in India, and left the population in the hand of militants. TULF, never regained that sacred trust of Tamils, once they have enjoyed.
Rajiv Gandhi, was young, and exited in his new job as PM, became impatient, and grew a little bit of arrogance when things were not moving fast. To please J.R, he removed veteran adviser like G.Parthasarathy, and sidelined Vengadesan who are Tamils themselves, and brought in arrogant, less informed (on Lankan affairs) Ramesh Bandari. Bandari was sympathetic to SL government, and misled Rajiv.
I think yes, we have lost many opportunities to apologise to Indians, especially to Gandhi family, but am still optimistic that we could make opportunity to extend our sincere apology. If not for LTTE, TNA can deliver this message on behalf of Elam Tamils. I also, notice that LTTE is similar to Indian political class, more ego centric, and not logical in their thinking and actions. Finally, I wish LTTE reform it self, make room for other political parties, and intellectuals. I hope LTTE transformed into a well respected political/military organization, rather than simply feared.
8. Raj | May 25th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Mr.DBS, I wast just a 17 year old when the IPKF came and did all the attociites in Jaffna. My town of Urumpirai was first point defense by the LTTE against the IPKF. When we returned after 1 month, I has seen many mass burial and corpse all around the town.
We are in this mess because of India.
9. Gopal | May 25th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
You’re saying that Rajiv would have helped the Tamils find a resobale solution. He had more than 3 years to came up with the solution from 1987. He never did and he betrayed the entire Tamil nation.
10. Tamil in Chennai | May 25th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
The Gandhis are not an ‘innocent family’! If you remember in 1983, there were only 30 militants armed with about 10 weapons in Jaffna .If, Indira had not intervened and trained 40,000 Tamil Militants, to be let loose on the Jayawardene’’s government, things in Sri Lanka might be very different today!
In Punjab, Indira reared Bhindranwale to take on the Akalis and paid the price as she was not able to contain him later and she then had to destroy Golden Temple in Amritsar. She knew then what was coming and confided in friends about her would-be fate!
Maybe India has still not learnt its lessons after a humiliating debacle in Sri Lanka and is trying to make up for a blackened face of late 1980s! We don”t want history repeating itself. Everyone in Sri Lanka must be tired of the violence. We Tamils in Tamil Nadu, only hope that peace dawns quickly in the island of Sri Lanka!
11. THAMILAN | May 25th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
It is very impressive and informative article. Well done Jeyaraj. You have highlighted the facts that LTTE has betrayed the tamils than anyone else due to the hungry of power. If LTTE was really keen of achieveing the rigts for tamils they could have allowed Varatharajaperumals provincial govt to function for at least 5 years. When Varatharajaperumals govt declared the Independence of Eealam, LTTE has cowardly negotiated with Premadass govt in order to marginalise the move and then killed him as well.
‘
LTTES military’’s strengh is not going to achieve anything to tamils till Pirabaharan and Pottu Amman becomes Maveerar’’s list
12. envee | May 25th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Why did LTTE kill Rajiv.?
Maybe DBSJ can enlighten us on that issue
13. kanthan | May 25th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
It is a very shock Rajiv Gandhi was killed. It is very sad. how many Tamil people were killed by IPKF?. This is a important factor when you write about Rajiv Gandhi killing. I thought we tamil have one real journalist who was D.B Jeyaraj. but you are now.?
14. Arvinth, Trichy | May 27th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Co incidents & selfishness
The editor/ writer said Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination on May 21st has poignant significance for him, because May 21st is his birth day. And he says “thereafter his memory looms large on each birthday. My birth and his death which happened thirty – seven years later are inter – twined in my consciousness.”
Not only now 16th death anniversary of our \late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the Indo-Srilankan accord he signed on July 29th 1987 & 20th anniversary for that now.
Even the LTTE had lost only 711 cadres at the time of the Indo – Lanka accord. Today they have lost more than 19,000. As the editor said compared to this situation the Indo – Lanka accord if implemented would certainly have been better.
Anyone can write anything, say anything or comment anything, but in this period what the Eelam fighters achieved? They are killing then selves, more Eelam Tamils killed by the Eelam Tamils than the Srilankan Sinhalese! & so far in the war more than 75,000 lives paid their price for nothing. Now kidnappings, unidentified killings etc, etc. all are in open & own.
15. ilaya seran senguttuven | May 29th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I endorse DBS’s last para and the opinion of N.Ram. Rajiv Gandhi very much wanted to deliver SL Tamils from their plight – there is little doubt about it. The mistake is how he went about this.
Dhanu may have detonated the bomb but many others in India contributed to Rajiv’s demise. There is no water-tight evidence LTTE planned the conspiracy and carried out the killing. D.R. Karthikeyan’s book has too many holes in it and unconvincing. Rajiv had made sufficient powerful enemies at the Indian side by then – all of whom would have like to see Rajiv out of the scene. Removing good friend AP Venkat as FS in such ingracious fashion was one of Rajiv’s costly failures. When I entertained APV and wife here for Dinner sometime ago, we all agreed Rajiv would have been alive if he took APV’s advise. No one in his right mind would have removed such a benign and stabling influence like GP. General Sunderji added to the woes by assuring Bhandari and Rajiv he will “make the LTTE lay down all their arms in 72 hours” enabling Rajiv to tell the Indian people and his friends “It will be a short and swift strike. Our boys will be back home soon” that became much costlier than the actors bargained for. It is unfortunate Sonia and the children regret Rajiv’s contribution has not been sufficiently acknowledged. I have myself argued for a suitable statue in Jaffna but the memories of the IPKF atrocities (unintended and in the heat of the moment, perhaps) are too fresh and too sensitive for such a memorial at this point of time. Perhaps later.
Arrogant Romesh Bhandari, credited with the removal of both GP and APV, not only ill-advised Rajiv but also was the architect of the failure of the Thimpu talks, where he succumbed to the overbearing influence and pressures of “his friend” Harry Jayawardena. And so the Tamil collective anguish continues – unabated. If LTTE did it, then this is VP’s greatest faux pas. Tamilnadu and its wonderful people who shared our pain and accomodated us for so long felt betrayed and disappointed. It is not merely an individual, who was killed. But the entire collective emotional involvement of the people of Tamilnadu and India with the Tamil cause that was assassinated in the process. There lies the tragedy, which even Annai Bala could not make good with his oblique apology 2 years ago. This emotional wound will take a long time to heal. The saving grace for the people of India is ever since the Sriperambathuor incident almost every Lankan Tamil in every part of the world shed a tear for our good friend Rajiv Gandhi – and that includes the late Anton Balasingham no less.
16. Dr K Chandradeva | June 1st, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I do not agree with some comments above. The IPKF did not come to SL as oppressors. Under the IS accord the Sri Lankan army became confined to the barracks and the IPKF was induced to maintain and peace and facilitate disarmament by militants.
All Tamil political parties and militant organisations accepted the IS accord but the LTTE – the only Tamil group – went against the accord. Before the LTTE fatally attacked the IPKF in October 2007, not a single Tamil civilian or a militant was killed by the IPKF. The LTTE went onto attack the IPKF, when the IPKF retaliated the LTTE simply vanished from the scene leaving the civilians to bear the brunt. This is how most civilians lost their lives during the LTTE – IPKF conflict. In the east the IPKF was hardly attacked and the civilian deaths were very low compared to the north.
I had been an LTTE supporter until they fired the first shot at the IPKF, since then I became an LTTE sceptic.
Someone on this forum wondered as to why India has not forgiven the Sri Lankan Tamils but has accepted a Sikh as their PM. The Sikh assassins had been dealt by the Indian judicial system but in the case of assassins of Rajiv Ghandhi are still at large. Furthermore there has not been sincere and formal apology to the family of Rajiv Ghandhi from the assassins.
I strongly believe India is our ‘natural safety net’ and truly look to India as our saviour and our fatherland.
17. nathan | June 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 am
I have read almost everything about the Rajiv Ghandi killing. I have serious doubts that LTTE was responsible.
18. nathan | June 5th, 2007 at 9:36 am
“…the LTTE simply vanished from the scene leaving the civilians to bear the brunt ” says Dr K Chandradeva.
Then, who killed 1,200 IPKF men?
IPKF walked into Jaffna Hospital and shot doctors, nurses, minor staff and patients in cold blood.Is this the behaviour of an army which came to ‘liberate’ the tamils?
Interestingly, a former diplomat Godage wanted the SL Army to erect a “monument” in memory of IPKF “martyrs” ! !
19. Dr K Chandradeva | June 5th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Nathan
Any civilians deaths by any assasins should be condemned. I am not defending the deaths of civilians during the LTTE – IPKF conflict.
You mentioned about Jaffna Hospital massacre, do you know a militant who threw a hand grenade at the IPKF and caused fatal casualties ran into the hospital when he was chased by the IPKF? Whilst I codemn the IPKF for civilian deaths I also equally condemn the LTTE for using the hospital premises for their activities.
LTTE accepted the IS accord, got millions of rupees from India, posed to camera surrendering the weapons and two months later, even though the IPKF did not kill a single Tamil civilian or a cadre, still carried out a fatal landmine attack on the IPKF.
Where is the strategy or wisdom? Now the LTTE stands as a banned terroist organisation by major democratic states in the world. Who suffers due to the blunders of the LTTE? ordinary and poor Tamil civilians.
20. nathan | June 9th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
So if a man throws a grenade and runs into a school, should all schoolchildren there be shot – or, should the school be sourrounded and searched?
The IPKF came to disarm the LTTE. Why should the LTTE let them? IS Accord was thrust on the LTTE and they did not want it.
Indira Ghandi trained the LTTE-why? Did she want them to surrender later to the indian army?
If the LTTE had disarmed, would the tamils be equal citizens today? They knew that no sinhala majority government would treat tamils as equals, and the same situation as of today would prevail.
21. Dr K Chandradeva | June 13th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Nathan
I never defended the action of the IPKF on that unfortunate day. Please note that the IPKF did not go on the rampage on a fine and calm day. The IPKF was provoked, fatally attacked and when the assailant was chased, he escaped into the hospital. Therefore I condemn both the IPKF and the LTTE for whatever happened on that day. I do not think you can compare that with a lone and loony gunman running into a school. Here we are talking about a full blown conflict between the LTTE & IPKF and both parties should have respected the rule of war.
Since 87 the LTTE has been going in the wrong way. Because of its conduct we lost the vital support of India and since then 29 major democratic countries have banned the LTTE.
As you know Nelson Mandela is a great leader. Why do people almost worship him? Because he stood up to defend his principles. He refused to accept any conditions for his release from the jail. Even after 27 years he came out of the prison without accepting any conditions for his release.
VP should have done the same with Indians, if he had not accepted the IS accord. In my opinion IS accord gave us a golden opportunity – every Tamil political party, every Tamil militant group accepted. Even the UN hailed this as a major break through.
If the LTTE had corporated, the North-east Provincial Council would have now become a self governing unit. Over 75,000 people would not have perished and above all India would have been solidly behind us.
I put it to you that without India’s active involvement this problem will never be solved. We should conduct our business responsibly without going on about anti-Indian rhetoric.
22. Dr K Chandradeva | June 14th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Dear Nathan
I never defended the action of the IPKF on that unfortunate day. Please note that the IPKF did not go on the rampage on a fine and calm day. The IPKF was provoked, fatally attacked and when the assailant was chased, he escaped into the hospital. Therefore I condemn both the IPKF and the LTTE for whatever happened on that day. I do not think you can compare that with a lone and loony gunman running into a school. Here we are talking about a full blown conflict between the LTTE & IPKF and both parties should have respected the rule of war.
Since 87 the LTTE has been going in the wrong way. Because of its conduct we lost the vital support of India and since then 29 major democratic countries have banned the LTTE.
As you know Nelson Mandela is a great leader. Why do people almost worship him? Because he stood up to defend his principles. He refused to accept any conditions for his release from the jail. Even after 27 years he came out of the prison without accepting any conditions for his release.
VP should have done the same with Indians, if he had not accepted the IS accord. In my opinion IS accord gave us a golden opportunity – every Tamil political party, every Tamil militant group accepted. Even the UN hailed this as a major break through.
If the LTTE had corporated, the North-east Provincial Council would have now become a self governing unit. Over 75,000 people would not have perished and above all India would have been solidly behind us.
I put it to you that without India’s active involvement this problem will never be solved. We should conduct our business responsibly without going on about anti-Indian rhetoric.
23. Alex | June 14th, 2007 at 10:44 am
I agree with Dr K Chandradeva’s comment, “Under the Indo-Srilanka accord the Sri Lankan army became confined to the barracks and the IPKF was induced to maintain and peace and facilitate disarmament by militants”.
But IPKF backed militant groups EPRLF (backed by present TNA MP Suresh Premachndran), Three Star (included today’s EPRLF spilt Douglus-ENDLF, PLOTE spilt Paranthan Rajan-ENDLF) carried assassinations against their opponents (personnel & party), LTTE supporters & sympathizers, here the EPRLF members who came with AK 47 in their hands without proper guidance/ training & proper political knowledge (trained by the EPRLF’s People Liberation Army – PLA chief & present GOSL Minister Douglus Devanada) took their weapons against to the upper caste & educated decent Tamil civilians.
In the IPKF period because of these atcotics most of the youngsters send by their parents to abroad & others who can’t joined in LTTE to save guard them.
This was a good opportunity for LTTE for their recruitment. Now the Mahinda’s government doing the same mistake like sending the Tamils back to their homes (North-East), killings, kidnappings for ransoms innocent Tamils with the help of paramilitaries like Karuna group in East & Colombo & Douglus group in Jaffna, Vavuniya & Colombo.
Also this was happened in early late 80’s & early 90’s by the ENDLF & Early 90’s by the EPDP in Colombo.
I accept Dr K Chandradeva’s comment about Jaffna Hospital massacre, a LTTE member who threw a hand grenade at the IPKF and caused fatal casualties ran into the hospital when he was chased by the IPKF. And I know in Urumpirai LTTE started this ambushed the IPKF soldiers in front of a temple with a help of a lady decorated like a pregnant & she throw a grenade on them.
Not only in Indo-Srilanka accord time had LTTE got millions of rupees from India, also had Varatharajaperumal’s headed North-East provincial government got millions of rupees from India.
As Mr.Arvinth comment (comment: 14) here, “Anyone can write anything, say anything or comment anything, but in this period what the Eelam fighters achieved? Only they are killing them selves, more Eelam Tamils killed by the Eelam Tamils than the Srilankan Sinhalese! & so far in the war more than 75,000 lives paid their price for nothing. Now kidnappings, unidentified killings etc, etc. all are in open & own”.
But where is the strategy or wisdom? Now the LTTE stands as a banned terrorist organization by major democratic states in the world, refugees all over the world, daily boat people going to India, refugees in own land without proper food, education, water or sanitation.
Who suffers due to the blunders of the LTTE & other Tamil Militant groups such as ENDLF, EPDP & Karuna group?
Ordinary and poor Tamil civilians!!!
24. Raj | June 16th, 2007 at 10:59 am
I have to agree with you on one thing, this is the best agreement so far we have seen on a paper which was signed by Sl Govt. But, I disagree with the way it brought in. Imagine the issue is between Tamils and Singalease. Tamils were not on the table, not signing authority or witnesses. The LTTE or other militant movements or even moderate TULF was not there to be part of the accord.
It was ‘Indo-Lanka’ Accord. So Rajiv took the total responsibility for the consequences. When things went wrong due to Indian polity and military differences (please read previous Indian generals and diplomats Interviews ). Tamils suffered a lot. Yet no apology given to Tamils. Look at the scale! 1000’s of Tamils killed, raped, maimed and economically affected. Yet nbo apology. Instead you just mentioned you were fired by Hindu Ram for exposing the truth. He was one of the instrumentalist of the accord as I remember those days media. Even today, Hindu continues to write against Tamils interest be it Indian Tamils or Lankan Tamils. I am going to dig in in to that here.
I think Rajic missed a great opportunity to solve a problem in a dignified way where Tamils get thier due share. If that had happened even Tamils will not allow the Tamil Militancy after that. You know about the Lankan Tamils, how they were reluctant to allow militancy in to the land and only with the Indian help it florished. Also remember there was major disconnection between the elder generation and the youngsters. The Prabaharan aged group totally seperated and alieanated themselves from the rest of the population for the violence stuggle as they enjoyed little or no support from peace loving Lankan Tamils. This perpertration was only possible with the massive support from Indian Intelligence and Indira as well as MGR and co. I agree it was a mistake to kill thier leader in thier land where expect and enjoying lots of support for a long time. It was big political blunder for Tamils in the long run. Prabaharan was humiliated by Rajiv in Delhi (reported by Tiger media and thier Indian supporters) and he took it perhaps personally. Instead of exposing the Indian atrocities in a proper way to garner more support from the Tamils and enhance the ‘Indo-Lanka’ peace accord. You see, I personally don’t believe India has any good intentions to solve the Lankan Tamils issues. They want this problem to continue. It is one of the super-power mentatlity I presume. And also Indian newspapers purposely black-outing the Tamils greivances for long time. They can oppose the Tigers if they want. Why they are against the Tamils of Lanka?? Please share your thoughts.
Thanks
25. Dr K Chandradeva | June 21st, 2007 at 8:43 am
I do not agree with the argument that the Indian govt favoured TELO, EPRLF over the LTTE. There is no basis for this argument. Mind you in the proposed interim NE provincial council, the Indians argued and got the majority seats for the LTTE. This clearly shows that the Indians were not against the LTTE.
In my opinion Indira G and Rajiv G sincerely wanted to solve the conflict and the ISA gave us the golden opportunity. I hold the LTTE responsible for scuttling this opportunity. Merely one month after signing of the ISA, the LTTE staged Thileepan’s hunger strike. This hunger strike was staged at the inappropriate time, with inappropriate demands, with inappropriate deadline (the LTTE gave Indians 24 hrs for an answer) and with inappropriate method (fasting unto death). The school children visited and witnessed how Thileepan melted away during his fasting. When he martyred there was a massive explosion emotion in Jaffna – I heard the school children were so badly hurt by his death that they spat and threw stones at the IPKF soldiers. This single act by the LTTE delivered a deadly blow to the good relations between the LTTE and the people of Jaffna. Furthermore, even though the IPKF did not kill a single civilian or cadre, the LTTE still fatally attack the IPKF in October 87. Death of every IPKF soldier placed a nail on the coffin of the well being of Tamils and the death of RG placed the final nail. A few days after RG was killed, a senior TULF MP told me that Indians would never forgive us. I dreadfully fear what he said is correct.
During the current CFA the LTTE could have taken a number of steps to recon ciliate with Indians but the LTTE did nothing.
I begin to feel and fear that the LTTE is fast becoming irrelevant in taking us out of this mess – to some extent a self inflicted one. The organisation is banned by 30 major democratic countries and its leader is hunted by Interpol on murder charges. How on earth can he liberate us?
Is it the high time to look for alternative leadership for us? Am I right in saying that we should look to the TNA to fill the leadership vacuum for Tamils? Should the TNA gradually distance itself from the leadership of the LTTE? Should the TNA embark on a pro-Indian strategy to wind the hearts and minds of the people of India? Mind you, India is our ‘natural safety net’.
26. Sathyamurthy | November 20th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
LTTE and sri Lankan tamils deserve what they get. You simply don’t kill the PM of our country and now come begging for help. I see lot of people bragging about the alledged killings of IPKF. IPKF was sent by us to help you tamil lot in Sri Lanka. But instead what do you idiots do?? You shake hands with Premadasa and start attacking IPKF. Why don’t the people who cry about attrocities of IPKF talk about how LTTE cleansed other tamil outfits and political party to project itself as the leader. Prabaharakan is a magalomaniac and a terrorist. I wish the Sri Lankan army to capture this bastard and hand over him to Indian authorities to be tried for the murder of Rajiv.
Mark my words…Ltte’s days are numbered. We indians don’t care about you back stabbers any more. You lot deserved to be kicked around by the fanatic sinhalese. There is no symapthy for you lot in India any more. You cannot get any symapthy from us even if you beg us.
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