A petition has been submitted to the Coimbatore district collector seeking official recognition for Mullivaikkal and Sterlite remembrance days in Tamil Nadu. Aravinth N, a resident of Coimbatore, submitted the petition, urging the state government to declare May 18 (Mullivaikkal remembrance day) and May 22 (Sterlite shooting date) as official state memorial days.
Details of the Petition
The petition highlights the Mullivaikkal war in Sri Lanka, during which nearly 70,000 Tamil civilians were killed. It also refers to resolutions passed in the Tamil Nadu assembly in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015, which called for investigations into war crimes and measures to support Sri Lankan Tamils. The petitioner emphasised the importance of remembering those impacted by these tragedies.
Sterlite Incident
Additionally, the petition addressed the incident in Tuticorin, where police opened fire during a protest against the Sterlite plant, resulting in the deaths of 13 residents. This incident raises serious concerns about air pollution, groundwater contamination, and associated health issues, the petition stated.
In both the cases of the Mullivaikkal war and the Sterlite shooting, the affected people fought for their rights and tragically lost their lives. Therefore, the petitioner believes it is essential to designate specific days as state memorials.
Petitioner's Statement
While addressing the media regarding the petition, Aravinth said, “By announcing these days as state memorials, the struggles of the public and their history will reach the current generation. Only then will a social change be witnessed. Moreover, the new chief minister, who is very much concerned about the Sri Lankan Tamils, must consider declaring these as state memorial days.”
The petition underscores the need for official recognition to ensure that the sacrifices and struggles of those affected are remembered and taught to future generations. It calls upon the state government to take a proactive step in acknowledging these tragic events through formal memorial days.
