Letter to the "The Hindu"

“No honest journalist should be willing to describe himself or herseif as 'embedded.' To say, 'I'm an embedded journalist' is to say, 'I'm a government Propagandist.”

-          Naom Chowsky

 I have heard way back in 2005 that the daily “The Hindu” had become propaganda machine for mahinda rajapakse. As this newspaper was respected to be highly acclaimed even in remote corner of the country I too was reluctant to accept the fact in 2009.I still remember one of my journalist friend quoting way back in 2007 “The Hindu is the best newspaper in India, it is highly useful especially for civil service aspirants as it contain lot of authentic stories covering very briefly”. With this inputs, I believed that the “The Hindu” writes in neutral aspect. 

The story namely “Visiting the Vavuniya IDP camps: an uplifting experience” appeared in the newspaper in July 2009

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070457542000.htm

This news story was written by Mr.N.RAM editor of “The Hindu” himself. This story was found to be refreshing for readers of “The Hindu” like me. Almost all political parties in tamilnadu and some tamil organization at that time had simply put this report in dust bin, urging it contained full of packed lies and imaginations. Some leaders even condemned RAM for this story. But still there was paranoid in my heart about these IDP camps. Generally concentration or refugee camp is considered to be tactic adopted by British way back in 1900 to thwart the sentiments of people towards the militants and their attacks. We have heard “Nazi concentration camps” during holocaust period. Lot of dungeons inside these camps which acts a torture centers to terrorize the population. Italians adopted the same tactic way back in 1930’s to kill the Libayan population’s attachment towards freedom struggle led by its Lion “Omar Mukhtar”. With all this  in my mind, I accepted with half heart that dark is always followed by a dawn.

For past few weeks, when I was digging all about this srilankan civil war, I found some story contrary to above.Amnesty international released a report concerning with these IDP camps way back in Aug 2009. Report hinted one of remarks from Ban-Ki-Moon(U.N Secretary general) that “I have travelled around the world and visited similar places, but this is by far the most appalling scene I have seen."It further quoted “Two months after the end of the fighting, the Sri Lankan authorities are still not addressing properly the needs of the newly displaced. The camps are overcrowded and unsanitary. In addition, these are effectively detention camps. They are run by the military and the camp residents are prevented from leaving them; they are denied basic legal safeguards. The government's claim that it needs to hold people to carry out screening is not a justifiable reason to detain civilians including entire families, the elderly and children, for an indefinite period. Displaced people have even been prevented from talking to aid workers. With no independent monitors able to freely visit the camps, many people are unprotected and at risk from enforced disappearances, abductions, arbitrary arrest and sexual violence.”

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/unlock-camps-sri-lanka-20090807

This report is totally different from what the story written by Mr.Ram, a month back? Apart from the Tamil politicians, the dust bin itself would have rejected this story containing full of lies.

Some of the other facts about  Mr.N.RAM I found were  “ He was awarded with “Srilanka Rathna award”, Highest national honor conferred by Sri Lanka on  non – nationals in 2005. Mr.N.RAM had a important role as mediator in the srilankan ethnic conflict dating back to late 80’s.He involved in many back-door conversions in trying to resolve this conflict. Experts argue that he had major role in signing of the Indo - Lanka accord by JR Jayewardene and Rajiv Gandhi.”.

I was a big fan of his writings in “Frontline”, “The Hindu”, but everything got shattered when after seeing the false information lying in the stories like above and below

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/01/sri-lanka-prabhakaran-tamil-tigers

At one instance of the story, he was praising the Rajapakse like below “justice has not been done to Mahinda Rajapaksa's government for its astonishing feat of rescuing by military means close to 275,000 civilians who were, in the view of the whole world, confined by the Tigers for use as a human shield.”

Why he maintained criminal silence in the above story without mentioning the war crimes committed by the SL army like Heavy artillery shelling on innocent civilians in Hospitals, food queues in Mullivaikal, which were later revealed by Channel 4?

When Afzal guru was hanged in Feb 9 2013, your newspaper was writing columns and columns of stories questioning his involvement in the 2001 parliament attack conspiracy. 

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/unanswered-questions-are-the-remains-of-the-day/article4397789.ece

After seeing some interviews of Nandita hasker, Arundhati roy and other HR activists intellectuals, I found proud for your fighting spirit for justice. But in your backyard (TN), you had betrayed many of us without understanding our sentiments. Below are the two examples I found in recent week

On last Sunday, I bought 2 newspapers. one namely “Thinathanthi” which always thought to be containing news of movie posters, news related to crime, killing, robbery, rape, some news related to politics. Second being “The Hindu”, esteemed newspaper touted to be read by intellectuals . FrontPage headlines of these 2 newspapers appear to be different but related to same issue. Tamil daily shows that “Student protests raises throughout the state”. “The Hindu” says that “Buddhist monk was attacked in Thanjavur”. With a violent incident like Buddhist attack, Is “The Hindu” trying to depict non-violent protests by students inside the state as big conundrum for stake of peace?

 Today “Mindless Solidarity” is another assault upon us False sentence that “problem appearing in the Indian Ocean waters is between Indian and Srilankan tamils” had simply poured lot of salt into our big wounds. Your opinion fails to acknowledge the role of SL navy role in it.

Almost everybody in TN is fighting for the justice for the 1 lakh of our brethren allegedly killed by SL forces. SL army shelled innocent people in hospitals, food queues without mercy. Its war crime and genocide.In the end, We urge “The Hindu”, to be beacon of justice, not shadow containing full of darkness.

Protests and U.S

Protests are spreading throughout the tamilnadu, but Indian media still is in deep slumber. Alarmed by the protests, TN State government had ordered to close nearly 438 arts and science colleges indefinitely. In Hyderabad, some Tamil organization had planned to organize protests tomorrow. Even in Mumbai, somebody had already conducted the protests. In Chennai, students had planned to organize a big protest in coming days.Main objective of the current student protests is to press the international community to investigate the war crime perpetrated by srilankan armed forces so that killers cannot roam freely in the open air. Along with these, students’ organizations argue that the tamil population in srilanka should be given “Right for Self determination” to decide their fate inside the Island nation.

The current resolution going to be submitted in the U.N was framed by United States. Every intellectual knows the human rights record of U.S forces in Iraq, Afghanistan. Abu gharib scandal is still one of the worst embarrassment to the U.S establishment and its citizens. Guatenmeo  bay is already famous for water boarding and other worst forms of tortures. Way back in 1945, U.S forces dropped atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing nearly 2 lakh people. Due to the nuclear radiation released from the bombs, even next generation people also affected with cancer and other dangerous diseases. Almost 90% of killed people are innocent civilians nowhere related to Japan armed forces. There was no commission till date to investigate why U.S need to show this much aggressive attitude towards Japan even at end of WWII? Hitler and his Nazi regime too killed nearly 6 million Jews during holocaust period. Later at the end of the World War II, allied regime framed a series of military tribunals called “Nuremberg Trials” to persecute the war criminals who were involved in mass murder of Jews. 12 members of Nazi who were closely associated with Nazi war crimes were given death penalty and lynched. There are still critics of “Nuremberg Trials”, about the way they were conducted without impartial role. Both are war crimes, but the yardstick for persecution is different. With war and conflicts happening all over the world, few nations are singled out like above example with world politics behind it.

Srilankan army website was flashing with headlines on 19^th May 2009(day on which LTTE chief was killed) “We have created a history that we are first nation to make military victory with Terrorism”. Every insurgency is a cycle. At end of 2001, U.S forces proclaimed that “there is no entity with a name “Taliban” in Afghanistan now”. That is history now. Now Taliban controls many villages and towns inside Afghanistan. So insurgency is like tape worm. It’s a worm that grows indefinitely. You can destroy its thousand of segments. But as long as the head remains, it rebuilds and proliferates. Until genuine demands of the people are never addressed, insurgencies will proliferate again and again.

Shavendra  silva, the head commandant of 58 battalion of SL Army, who was alleged to be involved in White flag incident killings and continuous shelling on the civilian places, is now teaching U.S troops , his brutal tactics and war crimes  in name of  counter terrorism subject. Another tragic truth is, he now serves as one of important representative in the inside circle of Ban Ki Moon, supervising the peace keeping operations of U.N.

So Let’s this time, killers shouldn’t be allowed to be roam freely, with world politics as one of reason. Let  the justice for this 1 lakh civilians be new beginning and warning for those who commit war atrocities with impunity.

14/03/2012 World Kidney day, Tamil Fisherman, Fidayeen attacks

With diplomatic row beteween India and Italy, there was heated debate in the rajya sabha over the Italy decision. GoI with fuming mood already started issuing warning messages to Italy.In one side GoI was showing that it is sincerely fighting for justice for their citizens, on another side same Government simply seeing the harassment of  tamilans  by srilankan navy with criminal silence. Today Sri Lankan authorities arrested tamil 53 Tamil fisherman(19 fishermen on Wednesday and another 34 on Thursday) for allegedly fishing in Sri Lanka's waters.. With already chaos environment on the national assembly over Kashmir militant attack, tamil MP's too joined the chorus for this srilankan audacious move.Assembly was adjourned till noon over this issue. For last 1 month, tamilnadu was simmering after  the pictures indicating the alleged execution of 12 year old LTTE chief son were released.Protests got intensified over the last 2 weeks, with burning of posters of Rajapakse, indefinite fasting. With no tolerance after seeing these protests , Srilankan forces started harassing tamil fisherman vigorously.  In past 2 month alone, a fisherman was killed, another 2 injured by srilankan forces.Fishing accessories of a fisherman  with worth of  15 lakh rupees was completely damaged by the same forces a week back. But same GoI watching us like second class citizens? Are we not citizens of this country?

Another important debate went today in Rajya sabha was Militant attack happened yesterday in Srinagar. Indian HM says suspected militants are from Pakistan. Attack was confirmed as fidayeen attack, after examining the dead militant body, which was fully shaven. Sad information is one of the dead soldier from yesterday attack was from Tamilnadu. His name is perumal, son of auto rick shaw driver coming from poor background. His native is a village near Madurai. Being one of breadwinners for his family, his loss should be difficult for his family. Lets his soul be rest in peace. Fidayeen attacks were often remembered as ruthless attacks on security forces. They are suicide attacks, LeT being mastermind of these attacks. One of most ruthless attack was 2001 J&K Parliament attack. 15 Year old boy of JeM rammed car fully packed with explosives on the JK Legislative assembly killing 45 persons. Main plan was to take the JK legislators as hostage, but thankfully on that fateful day many went outside of assembly at that time. Another unforgettable fidayeen attack was on Nov 03 1999. In daring attack on the BSF Badami Bagh Army headquarters, militants killed 7 soldiers of which 4 officers. One of the most remembered slain officer was Major P Purushottam. Known for his bravery and compassionate, he saved 3 journalists when this attack happened. Habib Naqash of The Asian Age, Faiyaz Ahmad of New Delhi Television, and S Tariq of ANI were those journalists. Every year on this fateful day, rich tributes are paid for this officer.

Apart from all these, today is World Kidney day. Doctors around world conducted awareness about protecting kidney from damage. Every year many loss their kidney function. Kidney is a important organ involved in removing waste particles like creatinine, urea from body. Kidney function is generally lost due to diseases like Blood pressure,Diabetes. Excessive use of antibiotics also paves way for loss of it. Kidney is composed of filter circuit which filters the blood with  proteins,glucose  from toxic substances.Toxic substances like creatinine,urea are excreted through urine. Kidney contains millions of nephrons. These nephrons do all these filter function. Due to above mentioned diseases, nephrons are lost gradually over period of time in the kidney, as a result kidney fails to filter properly. So, in blood   these waste products like creatinine, urea started to  elevate along with proteins lost in urine. With persons more than 30 years, its better to take Renal function test yearly once or atleast 2 year once. Renal function test is nothing but a blood test of 2 components Creatinine and Urea. Creatinine should be 0.7 – 1.2 for male and 0.6 to 1.1 for female.Blood urea normal range is 6-20 Dl/mg

13/03/2013: Kashmir Miltant attack, Tamilnadu Protests, Italian Marine case

Lets see whats happened today

Today one of bad violent incident happened in the J&K. Nearly after 3 years, a fidayeen attack happened in Srinagar. Today separatists announced strike for bringing back mortal remains of afzal guru from new delhi.. so as usual all streets and roads are  with security forces, very thin traffic!! Bemina, a locality in Srinagar uptown also look same.. Generally children and youths play cricket in these empty roads, grounds in these hartal days.. Same was happening in a ground in Bemina.At around 12 PM militants disguising themshelves as cricket playing youths, attacked and killed 5 CRPF jawns and injuring another 7.3 more civilans injured.. Militants were neutralized within few minutes!! But loss to CRPF is quite big!! Entire bemina was cordoned immediately to nab other militants.. But nobody was captured with rumours that militants escaped the cordon!!

Most sad incident happened @ 4PM, a 30 year old from Srinagar down town(bastion of separatism) was shot in chest. He was father of 4 daughters!!As bullet pierced through his heart, he succumbed within few minutes in hospital.CRPF says due to heavy stone pelting, we opened fire on the protestors.. but locals say he is just another walker in that road!! Whatever may be, but ugly truth is he is staunch supporter of Pro - India National Conference leader and closely associated with some leaders..

Back in new delhi, Arnab and his co engaged in usual hot jingoistic debates!!

Back in our own yard, protests are spreading sporadically throughout tamilnadu esp among college youth, as usual Indian media never project all these!! But another truth many dont know is U.S had toned down the resolution against srilanka 3 days back. So literally another useless resolution. Few days after collecting some statistics, i found nearly 60% population of the Mullavitu district is lost in the srilankan war. 2007 consensus shows Srilankan Tamils population was 220,117,  Now it is 81,263. This means nearly 1.4 lakh srilankan tamils are missing after war. Repeated shelling of srilankan army of 53,57,58 battalion in 2009 and depriving food among lakhs of people during mullivaikal tragedy had allegdly found to be made difference.Killing more than 1.5 lakh of particular community is simply nothing but a genocide.. Still our hearts are paining for this injustice meted to our brothers!!As usual with all conflict places, another danger of illegal settlements also started throughout northern province, one among them is Manal aaru.. Chauvinists of Srilanka planned this illegal settlement in 1984 itself. With emergence of LTTE, they were kept at bay upto 2009. With defeat of LTTE, these same people started to settle people illegally, to alter the demographics of the mullaivitu which is predominately Tamils.Manal aru a place surrounded by villages, full of Tamils!!Manal aru now becomes Weli Oya!!Only god have to save our brothers!!While writing this i found "18 Indian tamil fishermen allegedly captured by Sri Lankan Navy"..

Another shame is this "Italian marines case".. Its shame that Govt was betrayed by a country which with a combined size of Andhra pradesh and Kerala. PM had warned the Italy and even central Govt is weighing options for expelling envoy.

Some views on Jaffna Expulsion and Kattankudi massacre

Though the fight for Independent nation was based on Tamil nationalism, I also questioned him about necessity for expulsion of nearly 72,000 Tamil speaking Muslims (Srilankan Moors) from Northern province in Early 90’s.He replied me back saying the Sinhalese government cleverly used the “Divide and rule policy” to separate the both. They confused their minds with belief that they can’t live as minority within minority state through their spy network.  With Moors succumbing to their cunning policy, Sinhalese government complimented them by creating “Muslim Home Guard”, arming them to teeth. Feeling betrayed, Tamil Tigers started arbitrarily killing of the moors. One of the worst massacre happened on Aug 1990, ie Kattankudi massacre, nearly 165 moors were lynched in cold blood allegedly by LTTE. But LTTE still dispute the killings.

 In Jaffna, Moors were living in an isolated land from LTTE areas. With Kattankudi massacre and other killings fresh in their mind, Jaffna Moors also felt alienated and started to support Srilankan Govt forces more vigorously. Government forces planned a covert operation using moors for wiping out LTTE from Jaffna town. Every moor house rooftop were found containing rifles, ammunitions, grenades to start Srilankan’s Govt proxy war against LTTE by using moors as trump card. Sensing the imminent danger inside their own bastion, LTTE on October 30 1990, asked all the moors to be exit the town within 2 hours, allowing to take with them only the clothes they were wearing and no more than 50 rupees in cash. After this within few months, nearly 72,000 moors were expulsed from Northern province and they resettled in nearby Puttalam district.

Later in 2002, LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran formally apologized for the expulsion of Muslims from the North. But as per ramaswamy, even now moors feel that there was no healing for the wound caused.They can forget not Forgive!!  He too felt for the incidents like Kattankudi, because same Northern(Vavuniya) Muslims were making weapons for LTTE in the early LTTE formation days.