For the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam,the outrage over the Tamil issue in the context of the war in Sri Lanka had the potential to become its Nandigram. Like the CPM in Bengal,the Dravidian party was also accused of forgetting the past that brought them power. Both were accused of using the strong arms of the state to take on the protesters,their ideological allies. But Chief Minister and party president M Karunanidhi,the astute politician that he is,has punctured the protest on the continuing war in Lanka by floating a new grouping of like-minded parties today,which will organise stae-wide protests on February 7-9. The Sri Lankan Tamil Protection and Welfare Forum is the second such grouping after the Sri Lankan Tamil Protection Movement (STPM) launched by the CPI,PMK,MDMK,VCK and Tamil National Movement,thereby channelising the gathering protest before it can erupt into an anti-DMK backlash. If it can get Congress aboard the forum,Karunanidhi will be able to distinguish the Tamils protest into distinct pro- and anti-LTTE groups. Also,breaking the Tamils protest as a monolith would reduce the pressure on the governments at the state and Central level. When the STPM was announced at the funeral of Muthukumar the youth who immolated himself at Regional passport Office in Chennai on Thursday that it would organise a state-wide bandh on Wednesday as the first step of intensifying agitation seeking ceasefire in Sri Lanka,the Government termed it illegal citing past rulings by the Supreme Court,including in a case against itself in connection with the protest over the Setu project. The Home Department,handled by Karunanidhi himself,has warned protesters of action under NSA for crimes like effigy burning,picketing and road blocks. Many from the pro-Eelam parties have criticised DMK and Karunanidhi of forgetting its own past,filled with such protests and agitations on various issues,and an unwavering demand for Tamil Eelam and support for the LTTE that even led to its Governments dismissal after Rajiv Gandhis assassination in 1991. The threats of resignation,withdrawal of support for the Centre and public protests no longer amuse the other side,utilising the opportunity to attack their erstwhile partner. While the DMK is in the front to receive the flak,its detractors have escaped public scrutiny about the feasibility of their continuation in alliances that are openly against their demands. For instance,the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and its founder S Ramadoss spares no effort in condemning the attack on Tamils,nor does it waste an opportunity to ridicule the DMK and Karunanidhi on not being sincere to solve the crisis. However,questions about the partys continuation in the UPA or about Ramadosss son Anbumani not having quit as a Cabinet minister is met with silence. The party has not said a single word in criticism of Congress so far,not surprising,considering Ramadosss declared intent of forging an alliance with the party to take on the Dravidian majors DMK and AIADMK. Similar is the case with MDMK leader Vaiko,an ally of Opposition AIADMK. In the list of LTTE-baiters,the latter has come on top since J Jayalalithaa reached the helm,while Vaiko remains the non-officio publicist for LTTE in Tamil Nadu even after several times of incarceration for supporting the banned organisation. If Jaya considers LTTE as a terrorist outfit Vaiko hails it and as the only hope for Tamils in Lanka,in favour of whose war he was ready to take up arms there. The Viduthalai Chiruthikal Katchi is another virulent pro-LTTE party that has hardened its support for the rebels and their cause in the recent times. For the VCK cadres,Prabhakaran is nothing short of an idol and an icon,and many were seen wearing t-shirts carrying his image and the tiger and guns insignia of the rebels during Muthukumars funeral. They defaced statues of past Congress leaders particularly that of Rajiv Gandhi,and has not hesitated to physically attack Congress cadres and headquarters in Chennai. The Congress was supportive of the LTTE once,and its leaders allegedly gave their nod to provide training to Tiger cadres in its fight against the Sri Lankan armed forces. But that is history. Braving the wrath of average Tamil,the party has been a staunch critic of the LTTE and has come to loggerheads with the DMK only when the pro-LTTE protests surface in the State. The Congress is clear on its stand: for his acts of terrorism,most important of them being Rajiv assassination,the party wants LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to be arrested and extradited from Lanka,and prosecuted in India. The curious silence of DMDK,a relatively nascent outfit launched by actor-politician Vijayakanth,in the whole issue is seen as a cue to the siding of the party with Congress. The intentions of such a partnership was made clear several times in the past,though it was not viable for the Congress to express its opinion openly as it needed DMKs quid pro quo support for survival at the Centre. While the humanitarian crisis of the Tamil civilians in Lanka and the immolation of a youth protesting the indifference of the Governments have becomes platforms for common grouping for politicos,what went without much notice was the presence of youth in the agitations. Through his death and the carefully crafted letter,Muthukumar forced the issue to the next level of agitation,fearing which the Government declared indefinite holiday for colleges and hostels,both government and private,across the state. Even as politicians traded charges about the cause of the suicide,a large number of students fumed in the background,standing up to the tall leaders in refusing political space for them at least initially. On the day of the funeral,students demanded removal of all flags from the place where Muthukumars body was kept,and insisted on leading the 13-km long funeral procession.
