Karunanidhi warns of Tamil backlash

17 August 2013 03:05 pm Views - 3633

DMK Chief M. Karunanidhi has urged the central government to boycott the upcoming Commonwealth of Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka in November.

Warning New Delhi of a backlash in Tamil Nadu if it went ahead with participation, Karunanidhi said on Saturday, “If the request is ignored by the Centre, black flags will be hoisted atop homes and commercial establishments, besides staging rail roko, to express the feelings of Tamils and condemning India’s participation in the summit.’’

With Sri Lankan external affairs minister GL Peiris scheduled to meet Indian leaders tomorrow, the DMK supremo said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should categorically tell him that India’s won’t attend the CHOGM.

“The Centre should not neglect the requests of Tamils in this regard and openly communicate to the minister that India will not participate in the meet,’’ Karunanidhi said.

Karunanidhi’s strident stand against Sri Lanka is in line with the hardline taken by chief minister Jayalalithaa who wants India not to attend the CHOGM and get tough with Sri Lanka on the 13th Amendment.(newseastwest)