Nothing but, Genocide

K. Veeramani

General Secretary, Dravidar Kazhagam

I do not want to take much of your time. As my brother Dr. Janardhanam has very rightly pointed out we are here to thank our comrade George Fernandes and Jaya Jaitly for boldly organizing this conference inspite of the impediments. Whenever good things are to be held defiantly we will have to face certain price for that. We do not want to take anything free. I am very happy that now they have given wide publicity to our conference. Our resolutions - whether they will be published tomorrow by the Press or not is a different matter. We know what is the press today. But I am very happy as a disciple of Periyar, that whenever something is done the publicity should come from the opponents. Then only it will attract the attention of the public.

We had a good start. We have received a letter from the Home Minister denying permission for this convention. Actually when we convene conferences in Tamil Nadu by myself or by my friend Nedumaran we do not spend much money. We do not have money inspite of our propaganda. That is why we are paying out for food also here. We are under the impression that they are going to give a feast for us. But it has been informed that we will have to pay and get our lunch. It indicates that we have not money at all as alleged by the Home Minister. On behalf of the Tamils assembled here and also on behalf of the entire Tamils community we thank you profusely for a good gesture and a good work you have started. We are here to support you .

As rightly pointed out by the earlier speakers we are prepared to follow you and even die for this noble cause. It does not matter about quantity. The quality is important. Actually in your thought provoking presidential address you are rightly pointed out the audience . Even though I am a believer of non violence we were compelled to do certain things which go against our belief. Our friend from France pointed out that people will have to distinguish between terrorism and freedom fighting. All our people are fighting there and protecting the rights of the Tamils. What is the tight ? That is the basic fundamental right. What is going on in Sri lanka. It is nothing but genocide. Everybody knows it. It is a naked genocide. The Government shells bombs on their own people. Have you every heard? Those who are merely watching as a silent spectators will be accused in future. They wont have any place in the history. Even though you have convened this convention in your house I would insist you to convene the conference again in a proper place.

The terrorism is for the common cause. The right of private self defense is acknowledged in the law. We are prepared to appear and argue before any court of law. Are the human beings not to defend themselves ? When my daughter is raped before my eyes, when my sister or mother is raped before me do any civilized man read the IPC to know the punishment? As pointed out by my friend from Human rights organisation, it is nothing but freedom fighting. Let the Martyrs be respected. Unless and until you honour the martyers history will definitely not excuse you. At least to save our face, to show we are all human beings you have proved that India is a country and by this conference you brought national integration. Hitherto I never believed that there is national integration. Now you brought people from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan to support us. If anybody wants to integrate India, let them give permission and prove that we are all Indians.

We will have to prove to the world what is going on in Sri Lanka. It is nothing but genocide. Nobody appreciates the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. There should be no political murder. We will have to meet our enemies. One is presumed to be innocent unless and until the crime is proved. It is the principle of law. It is not only a Tamilian problem. It is more a human problem. Those who believe human feelings let them come forward.