Thread by @hariiyengaar

#அறிவோம்ஈழம்

In the last two weeks, there has been frenzied discussion in Tamil spaces about LTTE, Eelam struggle and TN politics.

It is important to stress, again, that everyone stands with Eelam Struggle.

And legitimate questions about LTTE can and should be asked.

What is going on between various groups is only one thing: Who is the legitimate representative (or leader) of Tamils?
NTK sees itself as the inheritor of Prabhakaran's legacy, although not knowing what it entails and goes on to issue certificates on 'who is Tamil.' (sanghi like)

It is quite evident from the fact that their hate is only channeled against Kalaignar and not against anyone else, including Jayalalitha, who wanted total destruction of LTTE.

This is despite the fact that DMK has carried the cross of supporting LTTE.

dnaindia.com/india/report-k…

While most Tamils respect Prabhakaran, there is an hate propaganda against Kalaignar, his wives, his character and his legacy.

This cannot and will not go unchallenged.

It is in this earnest, some light on so called most moral LTTE.

#அறிவோம்ஈழம்

1. LTTE saw itself as the sole representatives of Tamils in Eelam.

While it is true that everyone has a right to see themselves as sole representatives, it is the method that has to be questioned.

LTTE murdered all rival groups. They didnt want anyone else to represent Tamils.

It is not that other groups didnt have any support - in fact there were rival armed groups that also represented Tamils.

In the newsclip below, it is recorded that people confronted LTTE when they massacred TELO.

#அறிவோம்ஈழம்
Additionally, it was Prabhakaran himself who refused legitimacy to any other group. This, he did, in his meeting with Rajiv Gandhi.
The Indo-Lankan accord was explained to Prabhakaran and one of his major concerns was sharing power with others.

2. LTTE didn't represent all Tamils in Lanka.

There are three groups of Tamils in Lanka - Northern and Eastern Tamils, Tamils in plantations and Tamil muslims.

Eastern Lanka is a mix of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese in almost equal proportion.

There was apprehension in eastern region muslims and sinhalese that they would be subjected to harassment in separate Eelam. Instead of clearing this, LTTE adamantly maintained that self-determination cannot be given to Eastern Lanka but wanted freedom for themselves. Hypocrisy?

While the above stand is from 1980s, fast forward to 2000s, the stand just hardened while LTTE didnt want to share power with anyone.

LTTE did to others what the Sinhalese tyranny did to it. A case of victims becoming oppressors.

#அறிவோம்ஈழம்

What these actions tell us is that LTTE didnt want anyone else to fight for Tamil rights and even if they did, should subsume themselves within LTTE. If you do not agree, you are greeted with violence.

Recent actions in Trichy by goondas has a long tradition going back to 1980s.

A former Tamil Fighter writes in her memoirs,
"I was put in a situation where I had to comfort the numerous parents who wept and complained that even the bodies of their children, who were slain in this terrible vendetta, had not been returned to them."

3. LTTE crimes against Muslims.

Before one delves further, it has to be stated that many Muslims didn't support Eelam. Reasons could be many.

But should this invite crimes against them? No.

Amnesty international records and minces no words.

Norwegian peace mission records this post 2009.

And there are countless other instances where LTTE had used violence on civilians.

Finally, this has to be seen not as questioning Tamil Eelam movement but that claim that 'only LTTE represented Tamils.'