CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

Is Decades of Tamil Racism the Answer to Week-Long Anti-Tamil Racism?

Dilrook Kannangara

May be it is the twenty-fifth year, may be it is the defeated LTTE; whatever the reason Black July has assumed an unprecedented importance this time. It has no justification whatsoever and similarly there is no justification for counter violence (terrorism) based on it. Pro-LTTE elements still continue hate mongering citing the Black July while political extortionists also find it lucrative. Black July of 1983 may be the most shameful day in the history of this island. It gave a new impetus to the ?ethnic' conflict instigated by Tamil separatists in 1924. Events of July 1983 were brewing up since 1976 when the LTTE was supposedly inaugurated. Since then over 70,000 have died as the conflict worsened. Those who justified the LTTE in 1983 are aghast at what has happened to them and their community over 25 years. LTTE has done more damage to the Tamil community than the hooligans of 1983.

A call to investigate

It is shameful that events of July 83 are not fully investigated still. All the perpetrators of this crime must be identified, humiliated and punished. If these criminals meet their natural end without paying for their crimes, that would be a monumental black mark on this nation. What will future generations think of that grave yet mostly unpunished crime? It is not too late to commence proceedings. Inaction of the police must also be looked into. In 2001 a representative from the Batticaloa District demanded a truth commission to look into the matter, but, it went underground immediately thereafter. Some argue that such an investigation would open old wounds. So be it; let old wounds be opened and healed for good.

An investigation would throw out the factors that led to such a large scale event. Then it would be possible to enact laws, instigate processes, follow relevant conciliatory and diffusion methods to stop the recurrence of similar events in future. Such an investigation can also shed light on mob mentality in the context of racial violence. Unfortunately racially motivated mobs are a common scene in this country especially among some sections of the Muslim community. This needs to be handled with relevant knowledge gathered from a comprehensive study into the events of 1983. There are many unsung heroes who risked their lives to save the innocent. Their bravery must be acknowledged at least now.

The conduct of politicians, media and community leaders must be assessed both against generally acceptable conduct and envisaged conduct in times of peril. This can create a formal national conscience on matters that can carry away the gullible. Oppression of opposition political parties by the then government and its impact on the riots must also be investigated. Subsequent banning of certain political elements and their connections (if any) to riots must be investigated. Also the government's inaction that surprised even the Indian Prime Minister should be looked into. Strangely the largest ever government which was in control of over 90% of the parliament in the Sri Lankan history could not stop the ethnic pogrom! Why?

The myth about LTTE terrorists as saviours

It may not be a coincident that there were no ethnic riots after 1983 that were a regular occurrence from 1915 to 1983. Certain sections of the Tamil community attribute this to the presence and strength of the LTTE. They feel they will be unsafe in a situation where the LTTE is no longer there. This fear can only be alleviated by enhancing public confidence in the system. Law and order must be the priority over concessionary and appeasement-based diffusion tactics against both troublesome elements and sympathy seekers.

It is a fact that LTTE has killed more Tamils and Tamils had to bear a lot of miseries thanks to the ?liberation struggle' by the tigers. It is also a fact that local Tamils have enjoyed unparalleled benefits owing to the war. For instance although Sinhalese and Muslims cannot practically move about Vanni, Tamils are free to move anywhere. Another example is the distortion of university admission and parliamentary representation opportunities for Tamils due to large population movement. This has caused an unfair advantage to those living in the North and the East, mainly Tamils. This unfairness must be rectified as soon as possible. Making an equitable system for all, although it may take away some of the disproportionate advantages that are available at the moment, is a must and is no reason to justify violence.

Evicted Muslims and Sinhalese must be allowed to resettle in what are called ?Tamil homelands' by racist elements. Large arable lands of Vanni must be put under the plough. Settlers of all races have equal rights in doing so and this must be recognised by all. LTTE's promised land for Tamils is not forthcoming as the war has beaten the terrorist group and destroyed their ideology. This may be painful for some to accept. The most constructive thing they can do is to seek psychiatric help (no joke intended). Impossibility of Tamil Elam is a fact and further resisting this fact will only cause further bloodshed.

Tamil political parties must also accept this reality and conduct in a manner that promotes ethnic amity and peace. Doing away with racist demands is the surest way to wipe out inter-racial suspicion, intolerance and friction. Avoiding the repetition of July 1983 is the responsibility of every one of all communities, not just one community. It is foolhardy to make racist demands and expect harmony.

The fire of racism

The fire of Tamil racism was burning since 1924. Ridiculously pet-named Tamil nationalism, it engulfed the whole Tamil community with a link to Sri Lanka after 1983. While some have overcome the hatred and reached out, most Tamils seem to still languish in the past. Hate regeneration and renewal has become a recurrent theme of the LTTE which keeps its kitchen fires burning to the tune of USD 300 million a year. Ironically this fireball of ever regenerating hatred has burnt more Tamils in the name of liberation than any others! It has also resulted in chasing away hundreds of thousands of economic refugees out of the country. LTTE has committed Tamil genocide by using Tamils and their ever regenerating hatred as cyanide capsules.

This hate regeneration must stop soon for the sake of future Tamil generations. It is up to the Tamils to turn around and tell their self-styled liberators to get lost. It is like a Spanish bull fight where the LTTE shows a red cloth to its subjects and fools them to exhaustion and death. Not only the LTTE, but also the Tamil community that has blindly responded to LTTE provocations is responsible for its predicament.

There are a few Tamils who believe that causing misery to other communities will help them get their mythical nation. Little that they realise it further hardens other communities' stand on Tamils. What would have happened to Tamils in Canada had they used similar tactics there?

Terrorism

Since 1983 terrorism has plagued this country although it was brewing up long before. Terrorism is a much bigger problem than Black July; it is also a persistent problem. Attempts to justify terrorism citing Black July is more despicable than the Black July itself. Terrorism cannot have any other solution other than a military solution and hence there should not be any let up in military operations to wipe out LTTE terrorists. Some pretend to be ignorant of the fact that the LTTE was the root cause of Black July supported by other similar dark forces.

The emergence of politico-military groups like TMVP, EPDP, etc. further helps the reconciliatory process and these groups must be encouraged. They have the ability to stand up to both terrorism and hooliganism. They can also avoid the recurrence of unfortunate events that took place in Jaffna immediately preceding riots.

In 2001 LTTE terrorists ?celebrated' the 18th anniversary of the Black July by attacking the Katunayake International Airport. What did that achieve for the Tamil liberation struggle? Nothing. Today the ?liberated' are needing liberation from their liberators! Attempts to stage similar attacks by Tamil Tigers will only hasten their extermination and make their demise more tragic. People have no concessions or sympathy for LTTE terrorists who try to hide behind the Black July.

It is time to celebrate the lives and sacrifices of more than a dozen innocent officers who laid their lives in July 1983 while on duty only to satisfy racist aspirations of a terrorist group. Although many more died in previous terror attacks, their sacrifice marked the beginning of many regular sacrifices by armed forces personnel whether it be war, peace or surrender. Exterminating LTTE terrorists and burying their cause altogether is the only way to honour them.

LTTE's open fighting capability had a baptismal of fire in 1983 and fire shall cremate it twenty five years later.

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