by A.Jathindra
I still remember that day clearly, Mr.Makendraraja allies Mathiah, the second leader of LTTE was visiting Thampalagamam; which is my native village in 1990. The people honoured and welcomed him with the traditional Hindu ritual at each and every house. I also placed a Pottu (Round mark on the forehead) on his forehead in front of my house when cour turn came. I was 14 years old when this was happening. I never heard about Tamil Nationalism and Liberation struggle or even such as words during that time.
Prabaharan, Yogi and Makendraraja ~ file pic: courtesy: Tehelka
Prabaharan, Yogi and Makendraraja ~ file pic: courtesy: Tehelka
Later I was surprised when it was said that Mathiah was a Traitor. I asked myself how that was possible ? I don’t know what really happened in the LTTE’s jungle even now but I heard later that LTTE had announced that Mathia was close to India’s Research and Analyzing Wing (RAW) and that he attempted to conspire against LTTE.
Actually I wouldn’t want to talk about Mathaih and his politics now, but only remembered how the situation changed in my younger days. Adele Balasingam, has described, about the case of Mathiah, what he did and what was happening at the time in her book - The Will to Freedom (In Tamil Suthanthira Veadkai)
I think that the word Traitor is a most popular word like Tamil Nationalism and Liberation, within the Tamil political environment.
In the earlier phase of Tamil politics, Mr.Appapillai Amirthalingam the Tamil prominent democratic leader had used the Traitor word against their political opponents, who criticized TULF and its political journey.
Later LTTE has adopted this word – Traitor;Not only LTTE but all arms based groups like EPRLF, PLOTE, TELO and EROS adopted this word as fascinating tool for use against their opposition groups.
The LTTE was the only group which used this word against their proclaimed enemies very tactically and overwhelmingly. In the LTTE’s mandate intellectuals, journalist, writers and activists were all Traitors if they criticized or opposed them. Many of the Tamil intellectuals left the country or became so quiet and stopped involvement in public life.
Still the word Traitor is a very attractive word to marginalize the alternative viewpoints in the Tamil political platform by the so-called Tamil Nationalists. The Tamil Diaspora has been splitting based on this words after end of the LTTE story in Sri Lanka. In my view, the word Traitor is political capital for sympathizers of LTTE among Tamil Diaspora at present.
We couldn’t see any political honesty and any other respective manner on alternative views there even after sixty years of political experiences. Even now the word is used to insult those who are talking about need for meaningful political approaches and meaningful dialogue based on the ground situation.
There is another interesting point about the Tamil Marxists. The above situation I mentioned are based on arms groups but this is very different. This group is something different and they will not use this word as Traitor but they use CIA or RAW instead of Traitor, if somebody criticized their political thought. In my knowledge there is no any influential Marxist group in North and East and also among Tamil Diaspora.
Only one group has been doing something by the name of Neo- democracy with few old people in Colombo. This group has been saying that we need to organize our people for mass revolution like Nepal. Some Diasporas also support to this tip of old people as sympathizers of Maoism.
The concept of Neo- Democracy was mad by Chairman Mao Ze Dong but it was premature when Mao moved close to the Nixon government of US. China has also abandoned this idea since 1984, the People daily the Chinese official paper said clearly that the Marxism is a great thing but if we are going to follow this continually then we will be isolated from the Neo-world order.
But now few foolish people are talking about this old type of thinking pattern. Actually this type of groups are trying to mislead the people especially younger generation of Tamil society.
Recently I wrote an article about India at one of the Tamil Diaspora’s web then this type of stupid people criticized me saying t he is a Traitor. I was criticized for saying very frankly that LTTE had made a big mistake regarding India and finally India has lost her young leader.
Now very interesting things are going on based on words regarding Traitor currently. The Tamil Diaspora is having “ first night” with Traitors. The Diaspora, are collapsed themselves as investors in the LTTE after the debacle . The whole Tamil Diaspora is not sympathetic with LTTE’s idea but few hard liners there are active still; they are using this word against others who are talking about meaningful political settlement.
Another group functioning is the so-called Transnational Government; they have selected a prime minister also recently. One LTTE group is led by Nediayavan & Jayachandra who is running Tamil net, the LTTE’s media.
Transnational Government is led by Uruthirakumaran, based in US. Another third party also is trying to establish a set up through KP. I know some Diaspora activists have realized the situation and are willing to work with KPs’ line but they fear the hardliners.
I read KP’s recent interviews at www.dbsjeyaraj.com . I think that KP is right and he realizes the situation clearly but some hardcore LTTE says KP is traitor. I was thinking that who will be deciding about Traitor? Who is able to decide that?
I have raised this question myself many times when I come across this word normally. I think that those who use this word against others will be thinking about their own political benefit always.Therefore If someone opposed their political path they say those are Traitors. This is the basic history of the word of Traitors in the Tamil environment.
Now the Tamil people needs meaningful political approach and build up a good relationship with the current regime. We cant live in past history always.
The LTTE’s ideology which is based on creating enemies always. They have been creating their enemy themselves always since their birth, if they can’t accuse any one as enemy they can’t do any things. Still few hardcore LTTE ‘ers who are surviving in European countries are doing this but they are not able to do any thing for Tamil people who are affected by war.
The world is changing we also need to change but few Diasporas never ready to listen this. This is their problem too now.
One interesting question is there, that is who wants to become a Traitor, who is willing to join the team of Traitors?
The answers are very easy. Just say or write these sentences. “We need to have meaningful political approach . We need to have proper working mechanism therefore we need to talk with the government of Sri Lanka. We must consider on our affected people which is the first priority issue at this juncture.
If you say or write these lines in a few days you will instantly become a prominent Traitor in the Tamil world.
