2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests

2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests

Protests led by Tamil activists outside the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva
Date 8 March 2013 (2013-03-08)[1]
Location Mainly in Tamil Nadu, Worldwide
Methods Hunger strike
Picketing
Protest march
Sit-in
Self-immolation
Status Ongoing
Casualties
  • Arrests: 500+[2]
  • Injuries:
  • Deaths: 2[3]

The 2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests are a series of student protests and agitations initiated by the Students Federation for Freedom of Tamil Eelam in Tamil Nadu, India, against war crimes committed against Sri Lankan Tamil people by Sri Lankan army during the Eelam War IV. The protesters demanded that the Government of India vote in support of an United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution censuring the Government of Sri Lanka for war crimes.[4] Some radical groups even demanded the prosecution of the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse for his role in the alleged genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils. Apart from college students, doctors, film personalities and employees of IT companies also participated in the protests.[5]

Protests in Tamil Nadu

The agitations started on 11 March 2013 when eight students of Loyola College, Chennai, who fasted in condemnation of alleged atrocities committed on Tamils in Sri Lanka were arrested by the Tamil Nadu police.[6] The arrest was criticised by student organisations as well as the Loyola College management and nine colleges across the city went on strike.[6] A statewide general strike declared on 12 March 2013 by the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) evoked a mixed response with most of the political parties in the state keeping aloof alleging inaction on the part of the main participant Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) which was in power during the decisive stages of Eelam War IV.[7][8] Student organisations called for an statewide agitations on Monday, 18 March, forcing arts and science colleges in the state to close down for an indefinite period.[9]

On 18 March 2013, large-scale agitations were held outside Raj Bhavan, Chennai resulting in the arrest of over 500 students.[10][11] A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk was attacked in the Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur on 16 March 2013[12] and another at Chennai Central on 17 March 2013.[13] The Government of Tamil Nadu declared the indefinite closure of 525 engineering colleges affiliated to the Anna University.[14]

Noted political leader and Tamil activist Seeman addressing a Tamil diaspora gathering in March 2013

On 2 April 2013, actors from Tamil film industry staged a one-day token fast in support of student protests in Tamil Nadu.[15]

In United Kingdom

On 20 June 2013, during 2013 ICC Champions Trophy semi final match between India and Sri Lanka at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff, Tamil Eelam supporters invaded the pitch with the flags of the Tamil Eelam.[16] After the match, at least 400 protesters held up the Sri Lankan team bus and raised anti-Sri Lankan government slogans.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ TNN Mar 20, 2013, 06.31AM IST (2013-03-20). "Student protests prove acid test". The Times of India. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  2. ↑ "Hundreds of students arrested in Chennai for anti-Lanka protests". NDTV.com. 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  3. ↑ "Sri Lanka issue: Protests in Tamil Nadu claim another life : South, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  4. ↑ "Students protest continues in Tamil Nadu to press Centre for UN resolution against Sri Lanka". Times of India. 16 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Techies swayed by anti-Sri Lanka stir". The Hindu. 19 March 2013.
  6. 1 2 Venugopal, Vasudha (12 March 2013). "Amidst drama, students end hunger strike". The Hindu.
  7. ↑ "General strike evokes mixed response". The Hindu. 13 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "All parties barring VCK keep away". The Hindu. 13 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "Arts colleges closed". The Hindu. 16 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "Protests continue over Sri Lankan issue, over 500 students arrested". Times of India. 18 March 2013.
  11. ↑ Chandrasekaran, Anupama (18 March 2013). "Tamil Nadu students protest alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka". The New York Times.
  12. ↑ "Lankan monk roughed up in Thanjavur temple". Deccan Chronicle. 17 March 2013.
  13. ↑ "Sri Lankan monk attacked in Chennai". Deccan Herald. 18 March 2013.
  14. ↑ "Tamil Nadu shuts engineering colleges as campus stir spreads". Times of India. 19 March 2013.
  15. ↑ Special Correspondent (2013-04-02). "Film actors fast for Sri Lankan cause". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-05-16.
  16. ↑ "Security breaches disrupt semi-final". espncricinfo.com. June 20, 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Protesters hold up Sri Lankan team bus after supporters invade Cardiff pitch". NDTV. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.

External links

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