India cannot remain silent spectator: TN BJP
29th October 2008
The BJP in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday said India had the "moral right and responsibility" to intervene in Sri Lankan Tamils issue and should not remain a "silent spectator" to the sufferings of the civilian Tamils in the island.
New Delhi had the right and responsibility by virtue of "feeding" lakhs of Tamils fleeing the island nation and seeking refuge in India, BJP's state unit President L Ganesan told reporters here.
"India should ensure a package (of solutions) to the Tamils and lend whatsoever of its support to Colombo only in return of a guarantee from Sri Lanka about the welfare of the Tamils there," he said.
Besides taking care of the refugees, India also shared cultural ties with the neighbouring country and therefore had the right and responsibility to pressure the Sri Lankan government on ensuring the safety of Tamils, he said.
Charging the Sri Lankan Government with "censoring reports to hide the prevailing situation," Ganesan suggested that a UN fact-finding team be deputed to that country.
He expressed apprehensions that the relief being sent to Sri Lanka from India might not reach the Tamils and said organisations such as International Red Cross should be entrusted with the job.
Reacting to the arrest of MDMK leader Vaiko and Tamil film directors Ameer and Seeman for making pro-LTTE speeches, he wondered why the same yardstick was not being applied to leaders like Union Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who, he alleged, had spoken in support of the banned SIMI.
He called for "unbiased action" against all those supporting banned organisations.
Source: Hindu