Women wing of VCK stages one-day fast in Chennai

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 November 2008, 09:10 GMT]
Thousands of women belonging to the Makalir Viduthalai Iyakkamm, the Women's Wing of the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), went on a one-day fast in Chennai Thursday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka. This token fast is the first in a series of agitations that the party has decided to hold indefinitely until a ceasefire is established on the war-ravaged island. Senior Communist leader R Nallakannu and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi addressed the fasting protesters.



Within a span of five minutes, the women participants in the fast and the men donated a sum of 58,112 rupees which was promptly handed over to Kanimozhi with a request to her to give it to her father, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Karunanidhi.

Thirumavalavan blamed New Delhi for not bringing about a ceasefire, and said that the genocidal war on the Tamils had only increased its momentum. He urged the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to pass a unanimous resolution in the coming legislative assembly session seeking a ceasefire in Sri Lanka.

VCK President pointed out that even though the fast had been organized on a short notice, the participation of thousands of women was commendable. "This simply proves that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Eelam liberation struggle enjoy the mass support of women in Tamil Nadu. This protest will certainly have a major influence on Tamil Nadu politics," Thirumavalavan said.

In his concluding address, Thirumavalavan also emphasized the role of women in the Eelam liberation struggle, and he called upon Tamil women in Tamil Nadu to also participate in public life. He also announced that he had handed over a second cheque for Rs.2.50 lakhs to the relief fund for Eelam Tamils.

In her speech, parliamentarian Kanimozhi Karunanidhi condemned the human rights abuses and genocide taking place in Sri Lanka. She urged the Union Government to understand the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and stop the war.

Kanimozhi also observed that peace could not be achieved in a situation of ongoing war. "United Nations representatives and aid workers have been sent out of the war zone. International journalists have been refused entry. So, it has become impossible to know the reality," she said.

In her emotional speech she also wondered how the death of innocent children because of lack of medicine could ever be allowed.

Other important personalities who took part in the fast include film directors V.S.Kuhanadhan, V.Sekhar, R.K.Selvamani and actor Mansoor Alikhan. Placards carrying messages such as: "Indian Government, Stop the War", "Eelam Tamils Blood is Our Blood, the Tiger Nation is Our Nation" and "Rajapaksa is the Hitler of the 21st century" could be seen at the venue.

Ms Narchonai, leader of the Makalir Viduthala Iyakkam presided over the fast.