File phot of MDMK chief Vaiko
Opposing the invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing-in as Prime Minister, BJP ally MDMK today announced a black flag demonstration against the head of the island republic in Delhi on May 26.
MDMK chief Vaiko compared his situation to that of the anti-Hindi agitation launched by DMK under its founder, late C N Annadurai, in 1965, saying the Dravidian veteran had only opposed imposing of Hindi and not the Indian republic.
"Similarly, while extending greetings to Narendra Modi for his thumping win and expressing my happiness over the same, I oppose the participation of Rajapaksa who is involved in Tamil genocide. Since its our duty to register our opposition, MDMK under my leadership will hold a black flag demonstration," against Mr Rajapaksa in Delhi, he said in a statement in Chennai.
The protest, which was in line with Vaiko's earlier announcement of opposing any Indian visit of the Lankan President following his travel to Sanchi (last year), will be held at Jantar Mantar at 11 am, he said.
A similar protest will be also held in Chennai on the same day, he said.
A staunch supporter of Tamil Eeelam (separate home land for Lankan Tamils), Vaiko had earlier led protestors to oppose Mr Rajapaksa's visit to Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh last year.
Vaiko, who lost in the recent Lok Sabha elections along with six other party nominees contesting as part of the alliance formed by the BJP, said it was not proper for Mr Rajapaksa to attend the swearing-in of Mr Modi as "it will spoil the sanctity" of the ceremony.
The MDMK leader, who had personally met Mr Modi and BJP President Rajnath Singh in Delhi yesterday arguing against the Lankan leader's participation in the May 26 swearing-in, alleged that minority Tamils in Sri Lanka were still facing many difficulties.
He termed India's act of abstaining from voting in a US-sponsored resolution on human rights violations in a UN body in March this year as a "betrayal".
Vaiko also charged that officials behind such a move were 'misleading' Mr Modi in this matter.