March 9, 2013.
Statement of Dr. Subramanian Swamy,
President of the Janata Party.
I demand that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms Jayalalitha give up her sectarian approach on the question of India’s relations with Sri Lanka and instead develop a national perspective.
Not only India has to look after the interests of Tamils but also of Sinhalese since they have kinship with Indians in Orissa, Bengal and Bihar. Therefore to ask that the Tamil interests should prevail over national interest is sectarian and unbecoming of any political leader with a national outlook and the national aspirations. Ms Jayalalitha must know that we are Indians first and Tamils later and anyone who says to the contrary has to be treated as a traitor and a dangerous secessionist.
On the question of alleged atrocities committed by Sri Lankan Navy on Indian fishermen, this problem has arisen because Mr. Karunanidhi in 1974 as Chief Minister gifted away Kachhativu Island on the shores of which are available the best prawns in the world. Therefore, Mr. Karunanidhi had destroyed Tamil interests by collaborating with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to give Kachhativu Island to Sri Lanka. Now Tamil Nadu is paying a heavy price for his betrayal of Tamil interests.
It is surprising that students of Law colleges in Tamil Nadu are increasingly becoming lawless and violent. It is time that the Tamil Nadu derecognize those Law colleges whose students do not show respect for the Constitution and instead engage in violence.
( SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY )