Indian public resent Vaiko's speech

The Chennai police's decision to register a case of sedition against MDMK leader Vaiko for his inflammatory speech is in the right direction.

Although everybody is sympathetic to the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils, it is difficult to sympathise with the LTTE chief, V. Prabhakaran, who masterminded Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and was instrumental in eliminating thousands of Sri Lankans, including Tamils. He had no intention of settling the ethnic issue. It is important for him to go if peace is to return to Sri Lanka. Nemani Vivekananda Rao, Hyderabad Mr. Vaiko's warning that there would be a bloodbath in Tamil Nadu if the slightest harm befell Prabhakaran and that India would not remain one if it did not urge Colombo to stop the war in Sri Lanka was irresponsible, motivated and devoid of reason. People should not fall for such gimmicks.

It is hard to imagine the fate of the common man if leaders like Mr. Vaiko are voted to power.

J. V. V. Murthy, Coimbatore

Had Mr. Vaiko raised his voice for the innocent Sri Lankan Tamils who are caught in the crossfire between the LTTE and the security forces, one would have understood his sentiments. But he seems to be clamouring only for the safety of the LTTE cadre.

Nellai Thirumalairajan, Chennai

One wonders why Mr. Vaiko made such an inflammatory speech when the LTTE is on the verge of defeat. Does he expect the Sri Lankan forces which are on the road to victory to withdraw so that the LTTE can gain in strength again? His sympathy for the Tamils is understandable. But a terrorist outfit like the LTTE which has suppressed dissent violently, resorted to suicide attacks against innocent citizens, forced children to fight and used civilians as human shield in a desperate attempt to prolong the war deserves no sympathy.

D. B. N. Murthy, Bangalore

It is appalling to hear the speeches of leaders who flaunt their support for a banned terrorist outfit and its leaders. Mr. Vaiko's speech may provoke some people to take wrong decisions. He fails to understand that the whole world is marching against terror and has taken a vow to eliminate terrorism and make the world a better place to live in. The statement that India will not remain one country if the war in Sri Lanka does not stop is a matter of serious concern. P. V. Venkatakrishnan, Chennai, India and many other countries have declared the LTTE a terrorist organisation. Publicly sympathising with its leader Prabhakaran and threatening a bloodbath in Tamil Nadu if he is killed or harmed amount to sedition.

Col. Ram Gulrajani (retd.), Chennai

As the leader of a party that has seen no great success in the past 15 years, and bereft of a manifesto that can capture the imagination of the electorate, Mr. Vaiko seems to have indulged in a desperate attempt to capture media attention.

C.G. Senthilkumar, Sunnyvale

Politicians perhaps believe that their popularity rates zoom when they indulge in rabble-rousing. Whether they are carried away by their own rhetoric or get a boost from a cheering crowd, ultimately it is the people who are misguided by such incendiary speeches.

R. Ramachandra Rao, Hyderabad.

From Letters to the Editor,The Hindu