The second person who allegedly attempted self-immolation over the Lankan Tamil issue succumbed to his injuries,even as lawyers and students took to the street condemning the inaction of the Central and state governments on Monday. Ravi,a resident of Dindigul,followed Muthukumar in bringing back political suicides to the state. Since his attempt on Saturday,Ravi was admitted to a government hospital in Madurai,and was battling for his life after suffering 80 per cent burns. While the pro-Eelam outfits claimed that Ravi was the second martyr for the cause though they were unanimous in dissuading repetition of such acts the district police said he had taken the step due to marital discord. Yet another version claimed that he was injured in a stove burst inside his residence. However,his wife Chitra said they that her husband was an ardent supporter of the Tamil cause and clarified that they did not have a stove. Notwithstanding the stand taken by the state Government on the issue,lawyers and students staged protests and fasts across Tamil Nadu on Monday. Lawyers also burned the effigy of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. MDMK leader Vaiko criticised the state Governments decision to declare the February 4 bandh as illegal. February 4 is celebrated as Sri Lankan Independence day. P Nedumaran,convenor of the Sri Lankan Tamil Protection Movement,termed the Governments warning against Wednesdays protest as an act of intimidation. PMK founder S Ramadoss sought to clarify that it was not a bandh (forced closure),but was a hartal (voluntary closure). Despite warning by the Government,the Government employees union declared support to the strike call. It is one of the toughest crises for Chief Minister M Karunanidhi,once one of the loudest voices in favour of the Tamil cause. Admitted to a hospital following complaints of back pain,he will be discharged on Tuesday. He is expected to preside over a Cabinet meeting,before chairing the internal meeting that has been convened to discuss the course of action after the Centre refused to entertain TN MPs demand for ending of hostility against Lankan Tamils. The decision taken will be crucial for both the party and the protestors,who are gearing up to organise the strike on Wednesday,followed by black flag marches on February 7.
