CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has recalled the genocide that occurred in Mullivaikkal, Sri Lanka, in 2009, where hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils were killed by the Lankan armed forces. Vijay took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to express solidarity with Tamils across the globe on Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day.
Vijay's Statement on Mullivaikkal
In his post, Vijay stated, "We shall carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts. We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamils living across the world." This marks the first time since assuming the role of Chief Minister that Vijay has publicly addressed the plight of Eelam Tamils and the events of the Mullivaikkal genocide.
Background and Recent Developments
Vijay's remarks come shortly after Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Ramanathan Archchuna urged Vijay to speak up for Eelam Tamils during a recent visit to the Tamil Nadu secretariat. The Mullivaikkal massacre, which took place at the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, remains a deeply sensitive issue for Tamils worldwide, and Vijay's statement has been seen as a significant gesture of solidarity.
The Chief Minister's expression of support has been welcomed by Tamil diaspora communities and political observers, who view it as a reaffirmation of Tamil Nadu's long-standing stance on the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Vijay's administration has yet to announce any formal measures in response to the call for action, but his words have already sparked discussions on the state's role in advocating for Tamil rights internationally.
