MP voices opposition to Chennai editor’s remark

UPFA Parliamentarian A H M Azwer in a letter addressed to the owner of the Thinakural newspaper condemned the remarks made by Co-Editor of Ananda Vikatan of Chennai in his keynote address at the 16th anniversary celebrations of the Thinakkural, where the latter spoke in glowing term of the Tamil diaspora.

The MP said, “I am constrained to address this communication to you to protest against the offending remarks made by Mathan, the co-editor of Ananda Vikatan of Chennai, in his address on the occasion of the 15th year of the publication of Thinakkural at the Ramakrishna Mission Hall at Wellawatte on April 9.

“He was supposed to deliver the keynote address basically on media and Tamil literature. But, most disappointedly he digressed by encouraging his audience to establish close alliances with the Tamil diaspora stating that the diaspora had wealth, was powerful and influential within the segments in the world community. You will note that the Tamil diaspora is bent towards destabilizing our legally established government, spending money for such a cause, casting unfounded allegations against the leader on the grounds of having committed war crimes and urging for him to be tried by a war crimes tribunal.

“When this Mathan made remarks against the sovereignty of the country, it was an affront to our self respect as a nation. I immediately expressed my revulsion against Mathan’s remarks to Hassen Ali, MP and to Anandasangaree, ex-MP, who were seated on my right.

“Mathan offended the Muslim sentiments – notwithstanding the fact that Governor S Alavi Moulana who was seated as the Chief Guest on stage and Muslim Parliamentarians and other prominent personalities in the audience -by stating that we should recognize Israel as a powerful nation and that Israel was controlling even the US economy and media.”