Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging protection of Sri Lankan Tamils' rights amid constitutional reforms in the island nation. Political analysts have backed the move, though they differ on its potential benefits for upcoming state assembly elections.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 11, urging him to safeguard the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils amid ongoing constitutional reforms in the island nation. In the letter, Stalin noted that he had received detailed representations from Tamil leaders in India and Sri Lanka, highlighting grave risks to the community from the proposed new constitution. He pointed out that Sri Lankan Tamils have endured over 77 years of systematic discrimination, violence, and efforts to suppress their rights, often described as genocide.
Stalin criticized Sri Lanka's post-independence constitutions of 1947, 1972, and 1978 for their unitary state structure, which has enabled ethnic violence, structural oppression, and denial of basic rights to Tamils. Under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who commands an absolute majority in Parliament, the new constitution—framed as resolving ethnic issues—threatens to further marginalize Tamils by ignoring their aspirations for political autonomy.
Stalin emphasized the Thimpu Principles from the 1985 peace talks facilitated by India, calling for recognition of Tamils as a distinct nation, acknowledgment of the Northern and Eastern Provinces as their traditional homeland, the right to self-determination, and a federal governance system ensuring equality. He urged India to press for federal arrangements that devolve power to provinces and protect minority rights, aligning with India's federal values and its historical role, including the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord.
Political analyst Bernard D’Sami stated, “In Tamil Nadu, there is a historical and emotional sense of closeness to Lankan Tamils, so supporting their cause will be in good stead for the elections.” However, he critiqued the letter for not focusing on Article 13, which deals with devolution of powers to provincial councils. Ramu Manivannan added, “Every new government in Sri Lanka drafts a new Constitution which does not address the grievances of the Tamil population, so there is merit in Stalin drawing attention.” The move comes alongside Stalin's other letters to Modi on Sri Lankan Navy's alleged attacks on Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu.