Gajalakshmi
Paramasivam – 26 May 2015
The Root Cause of Jaffna Problem
The Sinhalese response to yesterday’s
article ‘Escalating the Jaffna Conflict’ was caring at the social level. Tamil response especially from males – was more
structured towards self-resolution. A Sri Lankan response is relevant in analyzing
this issue:
‘When it comes to
a problem resulting in public outrage, Sri Lankan politicians are quick to pin
the blame, however incredulously, on someone else, even though they would have
witnessed the problem developing in front of their eyes, and been responsible
for doing something about it themselves....And they will keep repeating the
accusations until the populace at large believes them.
Jaffna's Chief Minister is
doing just that...!!! He clearly doesn't see it as his responsibility to
prevent problems in his province, and take remedial action when they do happen.
What is he there for? He says this problem has been going on for a long
time..!!’
The above comments were on the basis of the
following expressions by the Hon Wigneswaran – Chief Minister of Northern
Province:
[The
CM said the youth have been introduced to drugs in the aftermath of the war.
Prostitution is also rampant. The victims are mainly young war widows.
Pornography and mobile phones are freely available. The Army and Police have
become very friendly with the youth committing crimes. "None of these were
there before 2009," he said.
"One school of thought says the introduction of sensual pleasures is done deliberately to divert the youth from taking-up arms again. This means they do not want to solve the ethnic problem or are interested in making it difficult for the Tamils to ask for a reasonable solution. How could they do so when they lack commitment?"
"One school of thought says the introduction of sensual pleasures is done deliberately to divert the youth from taking-up arms again. This means they do not want to solve the ethnic problem or are interested in making it difficult for the Tamils to ask for a reasonable solution. How could they do so when they lack commitment?"
Vulnerable people
The
CM alleged that politicos make use of the vulnerable people for their goals.
"We
have political parties which have had a gala time until the NPC Elections. Now
they are openly operating especially in the islands. They would create mayhem
to undermine the existing people's administration.
"The videos will prove that the military intelligence units and EPDP cadres were behind the burning of houses and stone throwing a few days ago.
"Then we have the spectacle of foreign money coming from relatives into the hands of the youth. The money is rarely used for studies. The only dream the youth have is to leave our shores and to be gainfully employed in the affluent West. In the meantime, some are committing crimes and running away.]
"The videos will prove that the military intelligence units and EPDP cadres were behind the burning of houses and stone throwing a few days ago.
"Then we have the spectacle of foreign money coming from relatives into the hands of the youth. The money is rarely used for studies. The only dream the youth have is to leave our shores and to be gainfully employed in the affluent West. In the meantime, some are committing crimes and running away.]
First of all – there is factual error in stating
that these manifestations did not happen before 2009. They did happen but did
not receive such publicity. As stated by the Sri Lankan – there is a degree of
responsibility that needs to be taken by Politicians at the local level. To
earn the right to criticize another Government – one needs to first complete
one’s own duty at the local level – including through belief, based on personal experience.
I was in fact accused by a Tamil Diaspora
leader that I was ill informed about this matter. I do agree that I do not have
the knowledge of assessments by Tamil Politicians. I did not because mine is a
bottom-up approach. Hence I do have
wisdom through my feelings for the People of Jaffna. Through my personal
experience – I believe that the Jaffna Courts is a reliable system and hence
those who attacked it are guilty of violating the Peace of that Community –
which includes me. A politician has the right to express judgment as per
her/his belief. In fact an elected Politician has the responsibility to
complete the picture through her/his belief. Where a Politician expresses
judgments without belief – and outside Due Administrative Process – it damages the
cohesion of that community. I take as valid the assessments by both Mr.
Wigneswaran as well as Mr. Shritharan, MP, as the causal forces for the damage to the
Jaffna Courts. But in terms of social
deficiencies neither has delivered.
Interestingly both – the Hon. Wigneswaran
as well as the Hon Shritharan – Parliamentary Member for Jaffna – have pointed their fingers
at EPDP (Eelam People’s Democratic Party) which was in coalition with the Hon
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government. The Hon Shritharan in fact mentions Muthali Temple
Community in Vaddukoddai District as a focus area from which the attackers of
protestors originated. I am through my service internal intelligence about this
Community – a disenfranchised community of Northern Sri Lanka. The females in
this area are simple minded but very much under the dictates of their men. The
guys in this area are lacking in formal training in community management at
their local level. To me the fact that I
spoke through my Vaddukoddai experience BEFORE having knowledge of what these
politicians said – confirms that there is common area of Truth in our
assessments.
The area of the rape is not within Vaddukoddai
District. Vaddukoddai is the place where the first Political Declaration of
Self-Governance was made by Tamils in Sri Lanka. The Parliamentary Elections
that followed confirmed that that Declaration had the blessings of Truth.
Tamils became the Equal Opposition in Sri Lankan Parliament. Vaddukoddai is
also the area where caste based separations prevail as part of the social
system practiced by the older generation. Muthali Temple folks are outcomes
produced by these elders living in the past. These forces get activated by
armed forces of various disciplines and ethnicities. Most of the young ones of
these elders are not there to merge the real values of that system with the
system of democracy and Equal Opportunity. LTTE took over through
separation. EPDP took over through coercion.
One of my readers wrote in this regard:
[DO NOT WRITE ABOUT OLD THEYSAVALAMAI AND
TAMIL CULTURE. PLEASE WRITE ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHT]
I responded as
follows:
[Thesawalami is part of Jaffna Tamil culture not only in rural
Jaffna but also within the Tamil Diaspora of Jaffna origin. We need to start
with that investment if it is to have heritage value]
Tamil Poet and Indian Independence Activist
– Subramania Bharathiyar whom the current Indian Prime Minister honored in Sri Lankan
Parliament – also fought against unjust practices of the caste system. Bharathiyar
was disenfranchised by Tamil Leaders of his time for this reason of wanting to
take over power from the British. Likewise those of us who fight for
independence from our own internal weaknesses – (such as the abuse of Dowry
system and the Caste system by going outside the Thesawalamai Pathway) lose
popularity with those who recognize popular power.
Statements
by the Chief Minister of Northern Province and my
responses:
The
youth have been introduced to drugs in the aftermath of the war. – False. They were already
in existence in Vaddukoddai area. Now the youth have more time and money to
indulge in such pleasures more than they did during the war. The main reasons
are unearned money including through ‘welfare’ from families living abroad and
lack of motivation to invest in institutional values. Those of lower caste –
use money as the measure for status when they think they do not have
supervisors.
The solution is to develop structures that
would promote and facilitate self-employment – to diffuse easy use of the caste
hierarchy which is in the Jaffna Farmer’s genes for all the wrong reasons.
Prostitution
is also rampant. -
Using that measure – Australia also would be accused of this charge. Where the marriage system is
blindly copied for the purpose of showing others – it comes without root
connection to family. Women who were treated as being less than their men
became mistresses. The abuse of Dowry system strongly contributed to this. The
only response from a lady to my
yesterday’s article sent under the heading ‘Dowry or Donation?’ was ‘Or Both?’. To the extent Dowry comes with the elevation
of wife’s status to Head of Family – it is
of heritage value. To the extent it is
taken as Donation by either side – it makes the relationship a no status De-Facto
relationship – which would have been an illegal relationship as per the culture
that Mr. Wigeswaran grew up in. On the other hand – a mistress without legal
status or cultural status through dowry - would become real wife when she makes sacrifices
of earned benefits for the common family. That real status is what counts the
World Of Truth/Nature. Without this there can be no valid claim for independence
in the Lord’s Court. The way lower castes joined armed rebel groups their women
felt ‘free’ to have de facto relationships. But men who are used to high status
– would continue to enforce their superiority whenever they think that the
environment is ‘free’ of such disciplines. Mallakam District Courts upheld the
claim of Donation by a relative of ours and thus damaged the Thesawamalai Heritage
in Common. Common Institutions like the Courts have common effects much more
than particular groups – be they EPDP or the LTTE. It is when these Higher Common
institutions fail that the lower activists promote their cleverness for
particular purposes.
The
victims are mainly young war widows. Pornography and mobile phones are freely
available. – This is common to all parts of Sri Lanka and
many countries around the world. If we
seek Western support – we need to educate users on the proper way to use them.
This requires close supervision by family seniors. If these seniors are active
they would not have time to supervise. A good example is – Mr. Wigneswaran
himself. As an elder in the Judicial
system – he has governance power within the judiciary. But because he has
become politically active – he is not able to supervise the Judiciary quietly
and confidentially. Likewise judges in Jaffna who after retirement start
practicing as private lawyers.
The
Army and Police have become very friendly with the youth committing crimes. – True in Vaddukoddai area. But where I overrode that and filed
complaints through Due Processes – they were heard and the Army and Police did
what they thought they could. Vaddukoddai Police were dominated by Sinhalese at
the time I filed the complaints. But there is no open disorder in that area.
When Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa visited that area before the 2015 Presidential
Elections – it was like a carnival. People of Vaddukoddai – including those who
came back from war-area - Vanni – participated in the celebrations. They did
not need any direct coercion to attend the functions. Their loyalties were
switched from one provider (LTTE) to another (EPDP). To my mind, one who is
determined to earn her/his benefits – would not be tempted by such easy
benefits. This quick shift is visible in immigration also. There is room for
all in our Community.
"One
school of thought says the introduction of sensual pleasures is done
deliberately to divert the youth from taking-up arms again. This means they do
not want to solve the ethnic problem or are interested in making it difficult
for the Tamils to ask for a reasonable solution. How could they do so when they
lack commitment?" – This confirms the weakness
highlighted by the above mentioned Sri Lankan. Politicians who shift the blame –
are confirming lack of belief and therefore lack of authority to judge. In
politics we need to first ‘own’ the problem as if we are the problem. We do that when we believe that we represent
the good as well as the bad. Then the solution will develop from that for the
whole. By owning we pool them together within us. To the extent we seek to show
cleverness – we need to not use the political path beyond our belief. We need
to use the top-down Administrative path and conscious calculations of rights
and wrongs through a Transparent Process.
As per my feelings – yes, in this instance there
has been some influence to collect the forces that keep shifting their
loyalties. But the more we point the finger at others – the less our
opportunity to realize self-governance. As we sow – so shall we reap. Now that we know , we the Tamil Community
have to either become more lateral and accept de facto relationships in all
institutional circumstances or rejuvenate our traditional values in our privacy
– through the resources available to us – as Great Poet Subramania Bharathiyar
did – not by elevating his status but by sacrificing for the common cause - the status he had.
dominated by Sinhalese at
the time I filed the complaints. But there is no open disorder in that area.
When Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa visited that area before the 2015 Presidential
Elections – it was like a carnival. People of Vaddukoddai – including those who
came back from war-area - Vanni – participated in the celebrations. They did
not need any direct coercion to attend the functions. Their loyalties were
switched from one provider (LTTE) to another (EPDP). To my mind, one who is
determined to earn her/his benefits – would not be tempted by such easy
benefits. This quick shift is visible in immigration also. There is room for
all in our Community.
"One
school of thought says the introduction of sensual pleasures is done
deliberately to divert the youth from taking-up arms again. This means they do
not want to solve the ethnic problem or are interested in making it difficult
for the Tamils to ask for a reasonable solution. How could they do so when they
lack commitment?" – This confirms the weakness
highlighted by the above mentioned Sri Lankan. Politicians who shift the blame –
are confirming lack of belief and therefore lack of authority to judge. In
politics we need to first ‘own’ the problem as if we are the problem. We do that when we believe that we represent
the good as well as the bad. Then the solution will develop from that for the
whole. By owning we pool them together within us. To the extent we seek to show
cleverness – we need to not use the political path beyond our belief. We need
to use the top-down Administrative path and conscious calculations of rights
and wrongs through a Transparent Process.
As per my feelings – yes, in this instance there
has been some influence to collect the forces that keep shifting their
loyalties. But the more we point the finger at others – the less our
opportunity to realize self-governance. As we sow – so shall we reap. Now that we know , we the Tamil Community
have to either become more lateral and accept de facto relationships in all
institutional circumstances or rejuvenate our traditional values in our privacy
– through the resources available to us – as Great Poet Subramania Bharathiyar
did – not by elevating his status but by sacrificing for the common cause - the status he had.
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