Secessionist ideology spreading in Tamil Nadu: Left parties

Madurai, Oct 25: The Left parties Saturday cautioned against the spread of secessionist ideology in Tamil Nadu by a misguided few seeking an end to killings in Sri Lanka, saying it would harm India and not help Tamils in the island.

"The spread of violent secessionist ideology by a misguided few will harm the suffering Tamil minority in Sri Lanka and also result in unwelcome unrest in Tamil Nadu," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state secretary N. Varadarajan told journalists in a village near here.

"The solution to the ethnic issue in our neighbouring country has to be within the ambit of its integrity and unity through democratic, peaceful and political dialogue and certainly not by military means," he added.

He demanded impartial action against all political parties and individuals indulging in anti-national activities.

"Those against India's national integrity have no place in our society," Varadarajan said.

Varadarajan spoke after distributing relief in Uthapuram, a village 20 km from here that was affected by caste violence.

In Chennai, Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary D. Pandian asked people to celebrate Diwali without crackers in view of the suffering of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

"Instead, we should ensure supplies of food and medical relief to the Tamil minority (in Sri Lanka)," Pandian told reporters.

"Avoidance of emotional, angry speeches that can affect peace within India is necessary as well," he added.

Congress legislator C. Gnanasekharan decried attempts to eulogise Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

"Those who speak against India's national integration and unity should not be spared since anti-social elements have begun taking advantage of parties hailing Prabhakaran as a freedom fighter," Gnanasekharan said.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has warned miscreants vandalising statues of political leaders with imprisonment under the Goondas Act.

MDMK leaders Vaiko and M. Kannappan and two movie directors have been jailed since Thursday for seditious activities after they reportedly spoke in support of the LTTE.

--IANS