CM, TN parties condemn Lanka's scrapping of Tamil national anthem
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CHENNAI: Political parties and leaders in Tamil Nadu on Monday reacted to Sri Lanka's decision to scrap the Tamil version of its national anthem with consternation and anger, with chief minister M Karunanidhi leading the condemnation.
"If it is true that the present system of singing the national anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil has been changed and the playing of the Tamil version has been abolished by a cabinet decision, it is condemnable," Karunanidhi said in a statement. "It is the sort of decision that will further hurt the wounded Tamil psyche," he added.
The state committee of the CPM also expressed concern over the scrapping of the Tamil version of the anthem, saying it would create disenchantment among Tamils in the island nation who were expecting a political solution that would guarantee them autonomy in administering Tamil majority areas and equality in matters concerning language, culture and livelihood. State secretary G Ramakrishnan noted that more than a year had elapsed since the war between the government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE) ended and the present decision came at a time when equality was being stressed upon. "The Union government should pressure Sri Lanka to give up such decisions," he added.
Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan called for international condemnation and steps to halt the continuing disempowerment of Tamils in Sri Lanka through "Sinhala hegemony". "By raising the question why there should be two national anthems for a single country, Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa is seeking to conceal the truth that there are two nationalities living in the island," he said.
Former TNCC president Kumari Ananthan said in a statement that Sri Lanka's decision to scrap the Tamil anthem amounted to brushing aside promises made to successive Indian Prime Ministers. "Tamils across the globe as well as the democratic conscience of the world should condemn this and uphold the rights of Tamils," he said.
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