Books on Tamil Eelam penned by a journalist were released here on Sunday. The event witnessed the speeches of politicians such as Pazha Nedumaran, R Nallakannu and C Mahendran, poet Kasi Anandhan and film director Pugazhendhi Thangaraj.
A K Joseph Kennedy, a journalist, penned four books titled Enjiyulla Neruppu Thundugal, Padai Thalaivan Varuvan, Aindhamkatta Viduthalai Por and Arasa Bayangaravadhamum Makkal Porattamum, of which the first two are poetry collections and the rest essay collections. Kennedy had written these books under the pseudonym Kanmani.
Releasing the books, Pazha Nedumaran, chief of Tamil Desiya Iyakkam, said, “Those who guide people in the times of turbulence through their writings alone, turn the best writers of that time. Reading these books, one can understand that not only human rights were violated in Sri Lanka, but also that was a planned genocide.”
CPI leader R Nallakannu, said, “During the Vietnam war, the media published the photos of a girl running naked with burns on her body sustained in the bombing. After the photo was published, the whole world raised its voice against America to stop the war. But, now, even after the photos of LTTE chief Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran’s body were published, the international community hesitates to raise its voice against the Sri Lankan government.”
Poet Kasi Anandhan said, “India has the moral responsibility to support the cause of Tamil Eelam and it is the duty of Tamils here to pressure the Indian government to back the Eelam issue. Our struggle will continue.”
In his speech, film director Pugazhendhi Thangaraj said with a scowl, “Today’s youth are more interested in celebrating Bus Day and Valentine’s Day. Those who are celebrating such days are not aware of the struggles in Eelam. By urging them to read these kinds of books we can bring awareness about the issue among them.”
CPI leader C Mahendran said, “This book reflects the freedom thirst of thousands of youth over Eelam. These books are the need of the hour.”