After years of disappointment in the sheer indifference of the people here comes news causing some reprieve.
Over the last weeks a storm has been brewing in Tamil Nadu over the heinous crimes of genocide in Sri Lanka over the last 26 years. The Channel 4 footage recently released coupled with Human Rights Watch's documentary and the Resolution proposed by the United States against Sril Lanka for the "war crimes" committed has brought to life the pain and agony suffered by the Tamils.
Students across 16 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu have been engaging in different forms of protest including indefinite hunger strike against the ongoing genocide in Sri Lanka. The movement is particularly one worth of praise.
Several movements over the past have been tainted with politicians getting involved causing the real issue to get diluted However, these students have taken the bold step of forcefully announcing that this is a purely student movement refusing any political affiliation.
THe movement started with 8 students of the Loyola College, Chennai going on a hunger strike over the last week. They were forcibly taken to the Royepetah Government Hospital and glucose was administered. There is little doubt that these students were intimidated and pressurized into calling off their strike.
Outrage followed in students all over the state. Students of law, engineering and arts colleges have now taken to the streets setting out diverse demands calling for the Government of India to break its silence.
To the lakhs of Sri Lankan Tamils who lost their homes and loved ones, to the several thousands of women who were raped and tortures, to the thousands of children who lost their innocence and childhood to this brutal genocide this might be too little too late, but this sense of outrage is a hope of awakening among the Tamils all over.
To much of my disappointment none of the big names in National English media seem to be following or covering this story. However the regional channels have pledged their undying support to them. News and updates are being flooded in several social media outlets including twitter and facebook.
Will this make a difference? Will there be an end to the misery of Tamils?
However this ends. I am glad it happened, I am glad it is happening.
Over the last weeks a storm has been brewing in Tamil Nadu over the heinous crimes of genocide in Sri Lanka over the last 26 years. The Channel 4 footage recently released coupled with Human Rights Watch's documentary and the Resolution proposed by the United States against Sril Lanka for the "war crimes" committed has brought to life the pain and agony suffered by the Tamils.
Students across 16 districts in the state of Tamil Nadu have been engaging in different forms of protest including indefinite hunger strike against the ongoing genocide in Sri Lanka. The movement is particularly one worth of praise.
Several movements over the past have been tainted with politicians getting involved causing the real issue to get diluted However, these students have taken the bold step of forcefully announcing that this is a purely student movement refusing any political affiliation.
THe movement started with 8 students of the Loyola College, Chennai going on a hunger strike over the last week. They were forcibly taken to the Royepetah Government Hospital and glucose was administered. There is little doubt that these students were intimidated and pressurized into calling off their strike.
Outrage followed in students all over the state. Students of law, engineering and arts colleges have now taken to the streets setting out diverse demands calling for the Government of India to break its silence.
To the lakhs of Sri Lankan Tamils who lost their homes and loved ones, to the several thousands of women who were raped and tortures, to the thousands of children who lost their innocence and childhood to this brutal genocide this might be too little too late, but this sense of outrage is a hope of awakening among the Tamils all over.
To much of my disappointment none of the big names in National English media seem to be following or covering this story. However the regional channels have pledged their undying support to them. News and updates are being flooded in several social media outlets including twitter and facebook.
Will this make a difference? Will there be an end to the misery of Tamils?
However this ends. I am glad it happened, I am glad it is happening.
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