by S. Thambyrajah
(June 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) One of the greatest sons of India, Jawarharlal Nehru, visited Ceylon in 1939. He drafted and prepared a document dated 25.7-1939 and his untiring efforts organised the Ceylon Indian Congress (CIC), the forerunner to the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC). The CIC had four important aims and objects, which are well worth reproducing: They are:
1. The attainment of ‘Purna Swaraj’ for the people of India,
2. The attainment of ‘Purna Swaraj’ for the people of Ceylon,
3. To promote and safeguard the interests of Indians in Ceylon and
4. To promote amity and closer relations between India and Ceylon and co-operation of the people of India and Ceylon in the attainment of common ideals.
Its principal purpose no doubt was to organise the down-trodden plantation labour population of South Indian origin.
In 1959 the policy of the Ceylon Government was to replace Indian labourers on the plantations.
The consequent unemployment problem that would arise if thousands of repatriated workers of Indian origin were sent to South India was immediately taken up in India.
I have with me a copy of a letter written on May 20,1959, by V. Arunachala Thevar, M L A, Pudukottai, (he was earlier at Westhall Group, Nawalapitiya, later at Galapitikande Estate, Demodara ), addressed to the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru suggesting that the Poramboke lands on the Ooty hills between Kudalur and Ooty, several areas in Travancore, Ooty and Mysore, could be prepared for tea estates under the Joint Stock Share Scheme, where the repatriates could be gainfully settled.
Nehru, promptly sent a personal reply that he would be taking this subject up at Ootacamund with the Madras government. (Ref : No 291-PMO/-59, New Delhi, May 21,1959).
This correspondence was highlighted in the Hindu of 22.5.59, under the heading, ‘Employment Scheme for the Indian Labourers to be Repatriated from Ceylon.
Fifty years on, there are in Sri Lanka 15 lakhs or more of ‘Indian Tamils’ - (Refer N.LR - S.C. 47/1963 - D.C. (Criminal Matale, 868/X).
The distinction is drawn as opposed to ‘Ceylon Tamils’, who are claiming the North and East as their traditional homeland. The civil war which has lasted over a quarter century, arising from the claim of the traditional homeland concept is causing misery, fear and disastrous consequences to the ‘Indian Tamils’ in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Indian Government is duty bound to intervene. It is moral and obligatory and cannot by any logic be construed as interference in the internal affairs.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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