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Sri Lankan Tamil in TN Camp to Vote for First Time After Citizenship Win

Gokuleswaran, a resident of a Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camp in Tiruchirappalli, is preparing to cast his first vote in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election after being recognized as an Indian citizen. He was born in India before the 1987 cutoff, but his passport application has been delayed due to a cited criminal record, leading to a court order for its issuance. The case highlights the ongoing legal uncertainties faced by long-term Sri Lankan Tamil residents in the state. Earlier, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create clearer citizenship pathways for this community.

Key Points: Sri Lankan Tamil in TN to Vote First Time After Citizenship

  • First-time voter from rehab camp
  • Citizenship affirmed by High Court
  • Passport issuance still delayed
  • CM Stalin urged PM Modi for policy
  • TN polls scheduled for April 23
2 min read

Tamil Nadu: Sri Lankan Rehabilitation camp resident set to cast vote for first time in Tiruchirappalli

Gokuleswaran, a camp resident in Tiruchirappalli, will vote for the first time as an Indian citizen in the TN Assembly election, despite passport delays.

"I am very, very happy to cast my very first vote... I wanted to assert my identity as an Indian citizen. - Gokuleswaran"

Tiruchirappalli, March 28

Gokuleswaran, a resident of the Sri Lankan Tamils Rehabilitation Camp at Kottapattu in Tiruchirappalli, is set to cast his vote for the first time as an Indian citizen in the upcoming Assembly election, becoming the second person in the camp to receive voting rights.

Speaking to ANI, Gokuleswaran said he is extremely happy to exercise his franchise for the first time.

"I am very, very happy to cast my very first vote in the upcoming Assembly election. I was born on February 9, 1986, in Tiruchi, and also studied here. I applied for my voter ID because I wanted to assert my identity as an Indian citizen. The citizenship will improve the future of my children and also inspire others like me, who may not know about the citizenship process." Gokuleswaran said.

Gokuleswaran is the second person in the rehabilitation camp to obtain voting rights.

However, he said his application for an Indian passport has been delayed.

"I applied for a passport because I was already a declared Indian citizen as I was born in the country before the cut-off date of July 1, 1987. But the authorities refused to issue it, citing a 'criminal offence' in my records. I filed a writ petition in 2024," he said.

According to Gokuleswaran, the Madras High Court Madurai Bench, while holding that he is an Indian citizen under the Citizenship Act, 1955, issued an order in October 2025 directing that the passport be issued within eight weeks.

"I have still not received my passport," he said.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on February 15, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide citizenship pathways and long-term visa relief for Sri Lankan Tamils who have been residing in the state for decades.

In a post on X, Stalin appealed for a "humane legal solution" for the Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu, stating that many of them had arrived in India with the approval of the Government of India and should not be treated as illegal immigrants.

"Hon'ble @PMOIndia Thiru. @Narendra Modi, please provide a humane legal solution for Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu for decades by enabling citizenship pathways, granting long-term visa relief, and removing administrative barriers that keep them in legal uncertainty," Stalin wrote.

Tamil Nadu is set to go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
A positive step, but the passport delay shows the bureaucratic hurdles still in place. The court has given an order, it should be implemented swiftly. How can someone be a citizen with voting rights but not get a passport? The system needs to be more efficient.
S
Suresh O
As a Tamilian, I fully support CM Stalin's appeal. These are our brothers and sisters who fled persecution. They have lived here for decades, their children are born here. A humane and permanent solution is the need of the hour. Jai Hind.
D
David E
Interesting to see the legal process at work here. The 1987 cut-off date is crucial. While granting rights is important, the article rightly points out the gap between a court order and ground reality. Hope he gets his passport soon.
A
Anjali F
His happiness is so genuine! "To assert my identity as an Indian citizen" – that line got me. 🥹 This is what democracy is about. May his vote bring positive change not just for him, but inspire others in the camp to come forward.
K
Karthik V
While I empathize with his situation, we must also ensure due process. The authorities cited a "criminal offence" – that needs clarity. Citizenship is a serious matter. The court has ruled, so it's settled, but transparency in such cases is key for public trust.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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