Rajapaksa visit: Vaiko held in Delhi, Karunanidhi leads protests in Chennai

Addressing the 65th Independence Day celebrations on Monday, the Lankan President had ruled out greater political autonomy for Tamils, saying ethnicity-based division was "not practical" as people live together in unity and there were no

racial or religious differences.

Bodh Gaya visit

Sri Lankan President Mahindha Rajapaksa, accompanied by his wife Shiranthi Rajpaksa and a 70-member delegation, visited the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya today.

Rajapaksa was received at the Gaya International Airport by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Education Minister P K Shahi and senior state government civil and police officials, official sources said. He was accorded a guard of honour by the state police.

From the airport, the cavalcade of the Sri Lankan president and members of his delegation drove straight to the Mahabodhi temple where they performed religious rituals, sources said.

Rajapaksa meditated before a peepal tree where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and visited the Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihar in the temple town.

The Chief Minister hosted a lunch for the Sri Lankan President and his delegation, the sources said.

Meanwhile, CPI(M-L) Liberation workers raised slogans against the Sri Lankan President from some distance as his cavalcade drove towards the Mahabodhi temple.

The protesters, who had mingled in the crowd that gathered to welcome the visiting dignitaries, shouted slogans like the 'Killer of Tamils go back'.

Two of the protesters have been detained for questioning, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order), Rakesh Kumar Dube said.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in Bodh Gaya town in view of the President's visit, police sources said.

Tirupati expects trouble

Meanwhile, a thick security blanket has been thrown over the temple town of Tirupati in the wake of reports that several Tamil Nadu-based outfits may create trouble during the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here this evening,

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• Karunanidhi
• mahinda rajapaksa
• Sri Lanka
• Tirupati
• Hyderabad
• Tamil Groups
• vaiko
• Tamil Naidu
• Chennai

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