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| Sunday, 1 August 2004 |
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'King of Eelam' and the TNA A diplomatic row surfaced across the Palk Straits last week. Self named 'King of Eeelam', M.K. Eelaventhen, a TNA parliamentarian travelled to Tamil Nadu with his SAARC labelled diplomatic passport which allows the holder a visa-free travel to any SAARC country. Indian authorities did not allow him to enter the country. Another parliamentarian who accompanied him was allowed to proceed. Both of them were to attend a World Tamil Conference in Bengalore last week. According to information, Parliamentarian P. Chandrasekeran had contacted Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and informed the plight of his parliamentary colleague, but to no avail. Eelaventhen was sent back to Sri Lanka on the same day. Eelaventhen was a refugee in India for more than fifteen years and he was deported on December 4, 2000, as Indian authorities considered 'his continued presence in Indian soil undesirable'. According to a Home Ministry circular, he would not be allowed to enter India since January 2001 under Arms and Foreigners Act. This issue became a debate among Tamil media and, some of them having taken the side of Eelaventhen, comparing him with former Chief Minister of North-eastern Province, Varadaraja Perumal. At a political debate over a private channel, Eeleventhen while praising the Indian government came openly against the South block in New Delhi. He said he had met former Prime Minister Vajpayee nine times. He also showed the viewers an acknowledgement sent by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to his letter sent on behalf of Tamil National Alliance. On what capacity he wrote the letter is another question, after all Eeleaventhen is only a National List M.P. who is neither the President nor the Secretary of the TNA. It is also another question who authorised him to write such a letter which was carried by print media. Visa-free travels of diplomatic passport holders to SAARC countries could be justifiable for 'desirable' persons. But in this case, Eeleventhen, though an honourable Member of Parliament, is an 'undesirable' in Indian soil. Vaiko in his interview to Press in Bangalore has said that he would take this matter up with the Indian Prime Minister as Indian authorities sent back this - in his words - "Gandhian" disciple. Alas, even Vajpayee could not help securing the release of Vaiko who was under arrest for several months under POTA. TNA leaders say that they did not want confrontation with India at the moment as they expect its support for the peace process. Parliamentarians of Tamil National Alliance are scheduled to visit India next month for talks with Indian leaders. What will be the position of Eelventhen or the TNA flock if he is not allowed entry when he attempts again? Will Eelaventhen be dropped from the flock ? Will there be any compromise among TNA parliamentarians ? Will the "King of Eelam" be left in the lurch? - Ajarath |
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