TN House adopts Resolution on complete boycott of CHOGM

Giving the UPA government no wriggle room on participation in the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Colombo, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa moved a resolution — unanimously adopted in the State Assembly — opposing even token representation at the event. By participation, the country would earn infamy in perpetuity for facilitating the Lankan President to head the CHOGM for two years, it warned and said: “Tamils cannot tolerate such an everlasting blame to befall India.”  While the Congress and CPI(M) members were not present when the resolution was passed, Dalit leader Dr Krishansamy of Puthiya Thamizhagam was evicted for sitting in the well of the House.  While Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opted out of CHOGM, he announced his decision to sent a team headed by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid instead. Deeply regretting the UPA government’s decision, the resolution said this disregarded the October 24 unanimous resolution of Assembly demanding total boycott of the meet.

            The resolution said that, the House deeply regrets Centre’s decision to disrespect the sentiments of the Tamils which had failed to bring solace to the Tamils. It pointed out that participation would tantamount to recognising the inhuman acts of the Sri Lankan government.

The resolution asserted that in deference to the unanimous view of the people of Tamil Nadu and their sentiments, the Centre should not send its representatives to the External Affair Ministers meet on November 13 and the CHOGM Summit that will be held between November 15 and 17. She said, taking part in CHOGM would tantamount to providing shelter to those involved in war crimes. Further, the Centre’s decision would also amount to trampling upon the sentiments of the Tamils. The people of TN will never accept this decision.

Moving the resolution, the CM recalled the three resolutions adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue after her government assumed charge in May 2011 - on June 8, 2011, March 27 and October 24. Further, she recalled the letters written to the PM on March 25 and October 17 this year urging him to take steps to change the CHOGM venue from Colombo. She said that, these resolutions were not mere emotional responses to the Tamil issue. The House has pondered over an emotional issue logically and adopted them. But the Centre has not taken any decision in favour of the Tamils.

TN Political parties on the resolution moved by CM:-

Comments	By whom
We condemn the Centre, which is supporting the CHOGM in Sri Lanka, instead of taking steps to ensure that Rajapaksa is brought to the book of war crimes	Mr. Chadrakumar (Whip, DMDK)
Our party has been seeking a un-monitored referendum on the establishment of a separate elam. I express my party’s full support	Mr. M K Stalin (House leader, DMK)
It is our opinion that India must use all its faculties to pressure the Lankan Govt for the rights of Tamil population	Mr. A Soundarajan (House Leader, CPM)
If the relationship with Sri Lanka is snapped, who will take up these issues with the island nation govt tomorrow?	Mr. N R Rengarajan (Whip, Congress)
Our Fishermen are still languishing in Lankan jails and their boats are still being held. Here is this engagement you speak off?	Mr. M H Jawahirullah (Leader, MMK)
When a resolution is passed, follow up action is required. Why didn’t all go and meet the PM after the last resolution was passed/	Mr. K Krishnasamy (Leader, PT)
We welcome this resolution. This has been brought at a time when the PM has ignored our earlier resolutions	Mr. Sarathkumar (Leader, AISMK)
The language of this resolution is polite owing to the grace of the CM, despite the fact that the  Centre ignored our earlier resolutions	Mr. A Arumgam (House Leader, CPI)