India’s Janatha Party Leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy said that the victory over the LTTE in Sri Lanka is fit for being honoured by India’s highest award in the future

Speaking at the Defence Seminar in Colombo today, Dr. Swamy said “the credit for this victory over terrorism naturally must belong to the political leadership of the President Mr. Rajapakshe and his ability to inspire the armed forces to fight on and die for the cause.”

“The people of India recognize this as a contribution to our national security and fit for being honoured by India’s highest award in the future,” he said.
He also said that the overwhelming proportion of the people of Tamil Nadu had rejected the LTTE whenever they were made to make a call.

“The LTTE in fact had wanted that polarization, and Tamil leadership fell into the quicksand created by it. They were egged on across the Palk Strait by selfish leaders in Tamil Nadu, many of whom were being financed by the LTTE.”

“As an Indian and a Tamil, let me say at this point that the overwhelming proportion of the people of Tamil Nadu had rejected the LTTE whenever they were made to make a call. When the dismissal by the Union Government of India of the DMK led state government in January 1991 took place– for colluding with the LTTE– and which dismissal I had supervised as a senior most Union Cabinet Minister holding the Law & Justice portfolio, there was overwhelming support from the people of Tamil Nadu.

In June 1991 General Elections, the DMK was reduced to a tally of 2 in a House of 234 MLAs, and to zero MPs elected from the state to Parliament.
Not a single incident of violence took place when the dismissal was carried out. It became apparent then that the Tamils of the state think of themselves as Indians first and Tamils afterwards.
“Therefore, let me assure you that for us patriotic Indians, national interests come first, and if state, sectarian or regional interests clash with it, then it is the latter provincial interests that will be sacrificed,” he added.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)