CURRENT NEWS - March 2009

Token Fast on International Women' s Day
in solidarity with the war-affected Srilankan Tamil women

The civil war that is raging in Srilanka is internationally well-known. The war is on for almost four decades between the govt. forces and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) who are fighting for a separate and independent country for the Tamils. The Tamils in Srilanka have undoubtedly suffered much discrimination in the past years since it gained independence from the British in 1948. Most people agree that the fight for the cause of Tamils is just and right, but what most do not agree to is the demand for a separate nation for the Tamils within a small island nation and the violent methods used by the LTTE.

However, in the present situation all these issues have taken a backseat. The biggest concern now is about the security of the innocent Tamil civilians. Children, women and many hapless people are without food, water or shelter. Many are killed and many more are wounded by the war weapons and go without any medical treatment. Women are raped mercilessly and killed. And one can go on thus, narrating the sickening war crimes on civilians.

There have been many protests in Tamil Nadu in South India against the Srilankan govt. demanding it to stop the war on its own citizens. All protests have demanded the Indian govt. to intervene and halt the war in the neighbouring Srilanka. Until today, all these efforts have not brought any positive result and the war goes on and so too the genocide.

Token Fast on 10th March 2009

In this situation, the Women's Union of Kanchipuram district, namely Magalir Sakthi, promoted by SAM decided that this year they would not celebrate the International Women's Day with the usual seminars, rallies and sports. But, they decided to go on a fast for a day in solidarity with the war-affected Srilankan Tamil women. On 10th March 2009, a thousand and more women gathered near the Bus Stop in Chengalpattu town and sat for a day long fast. Many women leaders and social activists and a few political leaders spoke to the fasting women and the gathered crowd about the atrocities being committed in Srilanka against innocent civilians, particularly women and children.
The fasting women held placards in their hands with the demands :

• STOP WAR AND PROTECT TAMILS
• PROTECT WOMEN, STOP ATROCITIES
• SAVE TAMILS AND GIVE THEIR RIGHTS
• DO NOT KILL INNOCENTS
• DO NOT MOLEST / RAPE WOMEN
• GIVE FOOD TO PEOPLE IN TH WAR ZONES

Bama, a noted woman writer, Amudha, president of the women's union, Indira, its secretary, Anbumani, treasurer, Vimala, Kowsalya, Ranganayagi, Arputha Mary and Glory - all members of the women's union spoke on the occasion. Magesh from Makkal Mandram, Karunakaran, Dayalan, Durai, Thangavel, Aruldas, Ramaprabhu and Aandal - all from SAM also spoke to the large crowd that had gathered in support of the fasting women.

Sathya, a local political leader gave the final rousing speech detailing the atrocities being conducted in Srilanka on the innocent Tamil civilians. The programme concluded with the sound of slogans to stop the war in Srilanka and to protect women and children in the war zone.