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Press Releases – மே பதினேழு இயக்கம் – May 17 Movement https://may17iyakkam.com Thu, 09 Aug 2018 15:42:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.6 மே பதினேழு இயக்கத்தின் ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் திருமுருகன் காந்தி கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார் https://may17iyakkam.com/77982/activities/comrade-thirumurugan-gandhi-arrested-in-bangalore-ariport-returned-from-un/ https://may17iyakkam.com/77982/activities/comrade-thirumurugan-gandhi-arrested-in-bangalore-ariport-returned-from-un/#respond Thu, 09 Aug 2018 13:07:13 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/?p=77982 மே பதினேழு இயக்கத்தின் ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் திருமுருகன் காந்தி கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

தோழர் திருமுருகன் காந்தி தூத்துக்குடி ஸ்டெர்லைட் படுகொலைக்கு நீதி கேட்டு ஐ.நா மனித உரிமைகள் ஆணையத்தில் பதிவு செய்துவிட்டு திரும்பிய போது, பெங்களூர் விமான நிலையத்தில் வைத்து இன்று அதிகாலையில் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார். வரும் ஞாயிறு அன்று பெங்களூரில் மே பதினேழு இயக்கத்தின் சார்பாக கருத்தரங்கம் ஒன்று ஏற்பாடு செய்யப்பட்டிருந்த காரணத்தினால் பெங்களூர் விமான நிலையத்தில் இன்று காலை வந்து இறங்கினார்.

இந்நிலையில் தூத்துக்குடி படுகொலையை ஐ.நாவில் பேசியதற்காக பழைய போராட்ட வழக்குகளை காரணம் காட்டி திருமுருகன் காந்தி அவர்களை பெங்களூரில் கைது செய்யள்ளனர். பாஜக அரசு மற்றும் எடப்பாடி பழனிச்சாமி அரசின் இந்த அடக்கு முறையினை வன்மையாக கண்டிப்போம்.

தூத்துக்குடி படுகொலையின் குற்றவாளிகளை சர்வதேச அளவில் அம்பலப்படுத்திய நம் தோழருக்கு நிகழ்த்தப்படும் அடக்குமுறைக்கு எதிராக இணைந்து குரலகழுப்புவோம் தமிழர்களே.

தூத்துக்குடி படுகொலைக்கு நீதி கேட்டு ஐ.நாவில் பேசிவிட்டு திரும்பிய தோழர் திருமுருகன் காந்தி பெங்களூர் விமான நிலையத்தில் வைத்து கைது செய்யப்பட்டதைக் கண்டித்து Peoples’ Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கை.

This morning,Comrade Thirumurugan Gandhi of May17 Movement has been detained at the Bangalore airport. Com. Thiru was travelling back from a recent visit to Europe, where he had been to address the UNHRC meeting in Geneva, and he was en route to Chennai city, where he hails from.

One may recall that last year Com. Thiru, who is a well known Human Rights defender from Tamil Nadu and the leader of the May 17th was incarcerated for nearly four months last year, from May 29th to September 20th.

We at Peoples’ Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore are of the opinion that this snooping upon him at the Bangalore Airport, is a gross violation of his fundamental rights. Though the police have just mentioned two old cases in Tamil Nadu to arrest Thiru, one wonders why this kind of a commando operation in Bangalore at the early morning hours as he was arriving here to reach Chennai.

Given the total disregard for law and constitution by the State in general, especially in the background of the tumultuous political situation in Tamil Nadu, where the awakened youth of the state are up against the proxy government there, this arrest stinks at all costs. Chennai police have even detained Com. Thiru even on flimsiest reasons in the recent times.

This treating him like a common criminal, is Political Vendetta and nothing else. Com. Thiru and the May 17th movement have been in the forefront of many pro-people mass movements.

Peoples’ Solidarity Concerns-Bangalore and Human Rights activists in Bangalore are seeking all possible legal help in this regard. Any immediate legal intervention in solidarity is highly appreciated and welcome.

 

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Human rights activist Thirumurugan Gandhi booked under notorious “The Goondas Act” https://may17iyakkam.com/59555/en/human-rights-activist-thirumurugan-gandhi-booked-under-notorious-the-goondas-act/ https://may17iyakkam.com/59555/en/human-rights-activist-thirumurugan-gandhi-booked-under-notorious-the-goondas-act/#respond Mon, 29 May 2017 18:17:43 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/?p=59555

Human rights activists Thirumurugan Gandhi, Daison Jose, Ilamaran, Arun who were arrested on 21.5.2017 for conducting a candlelight vigil for the dead in the Srilankan civil war have been booked under notorious “The Goondas Act” in short. They were denied bail on 25.5.2017 when they were held under different charges. After sensing that the initial charges filed against them will not hold judicial scrutiny, The Tamilnadu Police Charged the activists with “ The Goondas Act “ on 29-05-2017. They are detained in Puzhal Central Prison.

Thirumurugan Gandhi is one of the most committed and honest activists from Southern India, who fights for the democratic rights of all people for the past nine years. He consistently advocates for the democratic aspirations of Eelam Tamils, Palestinians, Kurds, Kashmiris, Western Saharans and Sikhs, he also regularly lobbies with the diplomats of the global South to realize the interests of the nations without states, indigenous peoples and communities which have faced war crimes against the imperial forces in the Geneva human rights sessions in the United Nations (UN) for the past three years. He has represented Tamil civil society in Permanent people’s Tribunal for Srilanka in Dublin and Ireland (2010 and 2013) permanent people’s tribunal is an opinion tribunal whose activities include identifying and publicizing cases of systematic violation of fundamental rights, especially cases in which national and international legislation fails to defend the rights of the people. He has also been in the forefront to call for the justice of custodial murder of migrant laborers, water rights of the farmers , worker rights ,refugee rights, disability rights , campaign against death penalty, rights of the linguistic and religious minorities, Tribal rights, Transgender rights and have been active in protesting against new WTO rules pertaining to public distribution system, privatization of electricity , Eco-sensitive projects like hydraulic fracturing, Nuclear reactors in dense populations. His organization “May 17 movement” stood firm in opposing the Free market-Hindu fundamentalist policies of the Modi Government from day one. He is also a frequent participant in television debates pertaining to the issues mentioned above in regional and national media. His Strong Convictions and uncompromising attitude in standing for the weak have unsettled many powerful people in India. One of the many reasons, he is being hounded now.

From 2011, every year Chennai’s Marina beach hosts remembrance for the dead happened during the end of the genocidal war. The event which receives wide participation from Ordinary civilians of every political complexion including Writers, Artists, Human rights activists, Students, and lawyers becomes a place for collective mourning to respect the fallen. This event acts as a focal point in the public discourse to bring the perpetrators of the horrific crimes to account for their evil deeds. The United Nations Basic Principles on the Right to Remedy and Reparation recognizes “commemorations and tributes to the victims” as a form of reparation. It also became an event where the remedies for the crimes are contemplated and discussed. Over time, due to the increased political consciousness of the public and the activists coordinating the event, the place also became an important venue where injustice happening to Kashmiris, Kurds, Migrant laborers, Women, Physically challenged, the fisher folks, Tribal issues started receiving serious attention and expression for solidarity. The event has occupied an important place in the Tamilnadu’s cultural calendar. “Remembering the dead is a fundamental right of the culture of every people and begs the question of how weeping commons, remembering their loved ones, can threaten public order and safety?

The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Forest Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Slum Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982), called “The Goondas Act” in short is a preventive detention law used by the state governments to attack and intimidate political opponents who speak truth to power. This legislation tramples upon the personal liberty of a citizen without giving him a chance to opt for judicial scrutiny, The Act is meant to be used only under exceptional circumstances in cases of grave and imminent threat to public safety and order. A total of 8,450 of them have been detained under the Goondas Act and the NSA since 2011 and many of them have been thrown outside by the court.

One of the main principles of legal jurisprudence is that any person accused of any offense should be given an equal chance to be heard and to defend himself in the courts of law, This preventive law denies the detained person this chance. The procedure requires that within seven weeks of detention, the detainee should be brought before the Board, which has three retired judges as its members. When these avenues fail, the higher courts can be approached. The majority of the cases have been habeas corpus petitions on which the higher judiciary ruled in favor of the victims, coming down heavily on the States mainly for non-application of mind and procedural lapses

One of the main principles of legal jurisprudence is that any person accused of any offense should be given an equal chance to be heard and to defend himself in the courts of law, This preventive law denies the detained person this chance. It is therefore apparent that the purported charges are mala fide and dangerous to the functioning of healthy civil society. It is to be noted that the legal attack is part of the trend where the rulers of the Indian Union trying to dismantle, intimidate, coerce dissenting activists. No one should be arrested for mourning the dead. When RSS can be given permission to hold rallies on Marina Beach and ADMK members can assemble in large numbers there to pay homage to Jayalalitha, why should other social organizations or political parties be prevented from using Marina Beach for their public events? Will the Chennai police stop bowing down abjectly to the parties ruling center and state and show some spine in implementing laws impartially? We are worried about the shrinking democratic space for reason and deliberation, one of the cornerstones of a constitutional democracy. We call upon all the democratic forces across India to show solidarity to one of our fellow beings.

Strike Down the draconian “The Goondas Act” Immediately

We deplore the recent wave of arrests by the government of Tamilnadu and the use of force to disperse peaceful protests. We demand the immediate release of all political prisoners, an end to political prosecutions, and a return to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Government authorities must respect dissent and their own constitution. We, therefore, demand our fundamental rights be respected and immediate release of the political prisoners.

We urge the government authorities to ensure the physical and moral integrity of all the activists detained.

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8th year candle light vigil will happen as planned https://may17iyakkam.com/59228/en/8th-year-candle-light-vigil-will-happen-as-planned/ https://may17iyakkam.com/59228/en/8th-year-candle-light-vigil-will-happen-as-planned/#respond Sat, 20 May 2017 19:20:27 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/?p=59228 Remembering and paying homage to the dead is a cultural event. It’s the basic right of the Tamils. All the ethnic groups in the world have the right and pay respect to their departed. The political charters around the world ensure the rights of the people to carry on the birth and death rites which are long embodied in their culture. The UN defines this as a natural right that has to be protected. Based on this an event is conducted every year, for the past 7 years in the shores of the Tamil Ocean, Marina beach to remember the massacred Eelam Tamils.

 

This event is held to pay respect to the Eelam Tamils. Tamils have a culture of paying respect to their dead relatives near a water body. Aadhichanalloor, a 6000 year old archeological site that was discovered on the banks of river Thamirabarani was a burial site. The Tamilnadu police have the responsibility to protect this culture of the Tamils. The international charters and the Indian constitution embody this right as a basic human right. Nothing can deny this right to the Tamils. The government is denying the cultural rights of the Tamils citing a colonial era Section 41 Madras city police act, which was brought by the British to prevent any gathering.

In the same Marina beach Tamils pay homage to their dead relatives. The people pay respect to leaders like Anna durai, MGR, Jeyalalitha in the same beach.  None of the laws say that permission should be sought by the people before they pay homage. It’s based on the same right that the May17 movement is organizing the candle light vigil to pay respect to the massacred Eelam Tamils.

 

The political parties in TamilNadu passed a resolution in the Tamilnadu assembly that what happened in Eelam was genocide. Ideally the TamilNadu government itself should have come forward to organize an event to remember the martyred Tamils. The political parties which supported the resolution should have borne the responsibility to conduct that. But they did not do it. The ordinary working class people of Tamilnadu have taken up that for themselves. The government should have facilitated the people. But contrary to that we see that BJP government is trying to stop the remembrance event that has been happening for the past 7 years. The Weak TamilNadu government has bowed to the BJP government. We condemn the BJP and RSS which has always been against the Eelam Tamils, which is now trying to interfere in cultural rights of the Tamils to pay homage to the dead.

 

Inspite of the BJP and the weak TamilNadu governments unlawful attempts to curb the Fundamental cultural rights of the Tamils, Candle light vigil to remember the massacred Eelam Tamils will happen as planned in Marina, in front of the Kannagi statue, at 5 PM on May 21,2017.

 

Democratic forces should come forward to condemn this fascist oppressive acts of the state.

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Protest to condemn the Indian state terror and violence against the people of Kashmir https://may17iyakkam.com/58289/en/protest-to-condemn-the-indian-state-terror-and-violence-against-the-people-of-kashmir/ https://may17iyakkam.com/58289/en/protest-to-condemn-the-indian-state-terror-and-violence-against-the-people-of-kashmir/#respond Thu, 21 Jul 2016 07:06:29 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/?p=58289 Statement of protest by Tamil Nationalist and Periyarist Movements from Tamilnadu.

Ever since Kashmir was announced as an integral part of India , several state sponsored violence has happened in Kashmir. As a result of the Kashmiris agitation for their right for self determination, in 1948 the then prime minister of India , Jawahar lal nehru promised the people of Kashmir on the floor of Indian Parliament as well as in the United Nations that a referendum will be conducted for the people of Kashmir. But for the past 60 years the Indian government is betraying the people of Kashmir without fulfilling that promise.

The UN charter defines “The right to self determination” as a fundamental right of the people. But the Indian government continues to portray the people who are fighting for self determination as terrorists. The Indian state has consciously portrayed the struggle of the people of Kashmir as an act of terrorism to the rest of India. Instead of using Parliamentary democratic means, India has always responded to the demands of the people of Kashmir by using Armed forces and has oppressed the people of Kashmir through its state terror. It is clear that India wants a solution through violent means and not through peaceful methods.

When the current BJP government came to power it announced that its going to withdraw article 370 of Indian Constitution which gives special powers to Kashmir and thereby created fresh conflicts. Every demand made by the people of Kashmir is being responded with a threatening tone by the Indian state.

As per the official statement by the Indian state the number of people killed in Kashmir between 1990 and 2011 alone is around 43,000. But according to the reports by various human rights organisations the number of people killed in the same timeframe is above 70,000. Over 1 lakh Kashmiris have been killed so far. Many mass graves have been discovered throughout Kashmir. The Human Rights Watch has reported in its report that the Indian Army is using Rape as a weapon against the women of Kashmir. Thousands of women have been subjected to rape by the Indian Army and since most of them are in  the villages, the Human Rights Watch says that the exact statistics cannot be known.

Following the killing of Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by the Indian armed forces on July 8,  2016 huge protests have erupted in Kashmir. More than 2 lakh people had gathered to attend the last rites of Burhan Wani. Following this the Indian armed forces have unleashed violence and oppression on the people of Kashmir. The Indian army has used pellet guns against the protestors and a result thousands of people have been severely injured and many of them have lost their eyes. There are now accusations that the Indian army is consciously aiming at the eyes of the protestors so as to blind them. Even children have not been spared in this attack. In the past 10 days alone  44 Kashmiris have been killed.

Indian army and CRPF have continuously  maintained a state of tension in Kashmir. The people of Kashmir are protesting for the withdrawal of Indian army from their soil. Inspite of that around 7 lakh Indian troops has been stationed in Kashmir and has entire Kashmir has been under the grip of military which is the prime reason for these many deaths. There has been no proper investigation done on the cases of killings and rape by the Indian army. Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) has given limitless power to the army that has been used against the citizens of Kashmir. Under this act the Indian Army has the power to arrest and interrogate anyone without any warrant. Human rights activists world wide have continuously protested against this draconian act and demanded for its withdrawal. The killings that have happened in Kashmir over years are parallel to the Genocide of the Tamils in Tamil eelam. We the Tamils, who are fighting for justice for the Genocide of Tamils and the ongoing structural genocide,    righteously voice our support for the people of Kashmir against the oppression of Indian state.

Our tamil leader and chief of self-respect & rationalist movement ‘Thanthai’ EVR Periyar as early as in 1940s and 50s voiced in support of Kashmir and opposed the attaché of Kashmir to Indian sub-continent. He also pointed out that “It is Kashmiri who has the right to decide where to join and where not to. Only Kashmiris have to take a call about their future. Neither India nor Pakistan has the right to decide the fate of Kashmir. Both of them should get out of Kashmir”

The May 17 Movement, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Tamilar Vidiyal Katchi come together and  have organised a protest to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle for justice.

We Demand the Indian state to:

  • Stop the genocide of the people of Kashmir
  • Repeal AFSPA
  • Withdraw the 7,00,000 Indian army troops from Kashmir immediately.
  • Do not refuse the fundamental right of the “Right of self determination of Kashmiris”
  • Fulfil the promise of referendum made to the people of Kashmir in UN.

In line with above demands we are conducting protest in Tamilnadu capital Chennai on 19th July at Valluvar Kottam evening 4 PM onwards.

 

In solidarity with Kashmiri People

Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kalakam  (‘Thanthai Periyar’ Dravidiyan Movement)

MAY 17 Movement

Tamilar Vidiyal Katchi  (Tamils Dawn Party)

 

July 19, 2016

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May17 Movement Reply to Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s Rejoinder to our allegation on Ration Shops and Farm Subsides. https://may17iyakkam.com/58238/en/may17-movement-reply-to-ministry-of-commerce-industrys-rejoinder-to-our-allegation-on-ration-shops-and-farm-subsides/ https://may17iyakkam.com/58238/en/may17-movement-reply-to-ministry-of-commerce-industrys-rejoinder-to-our-allegation-on-ration-shops-and-farm-subsides/#respond Tue, 10 May 2016 05:40:47 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/?p=58238 Kind attn to : Honorable Minister Thirumathi. Nirmala Sitharaman
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Counter to the rejoinder dated 05/05/2016 of Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

While thanking the ministry for the response to our press release, we have total disagreement to the contents of the aforesaid your rejoinder of the ministry.

With the balance tilted towards the Developed Nations post TFA ( Trade Facilitation Agreement) ratification by your government in November 2014, India, the champion of the developing nations and least developed nations from Doha meeting, find its concern to push for the DDA (Doha Development Agreement) is more difficult if not easy. Your statement in parliament post July 2014 summit of WTO(World Trade Organization) on FTA and its implications was historic and stronger, but your parliamentary statement in November without enough briefing and reasons is very surprising since it lost the commitment and conviction which you showed in your speech delivered four months earlier. In your August 5th address in 2014 clearly states that the FTA can be signed if all of the DDA is being agreed by the developed nations and you also clearly explained the implications on signing FTA without getting the DDA consensus. The para from 3 to 8 clearly explains the people of India about the importance of the FTA in achieving goals of India’s concern at WTO.

The ministry involved in international negotiations on trade, is bound to inform the common public about the apprehensions and contradictions between the statements made in the parliament on 05/08/2014 and 28/11/2014 by the Honorable Minister and to the happenings at Nairobi WTO meet during December 2015.

We believe, having the ministry thrown away its only negotiating trump card in favour of developed countries, particularly to US, without getting anything in return, India along with other developing countries, are reduced to a point of weakness on a negotiating table and made to seek mercy to get the long pending Public Stock Holding of food Security and Speical Safeguard Mechanism – SSM to be resolved. The Ministry and the NDA government hasn’t clarified the nation about the urgency and the rationale in signing the FTA within four months from its stand-off, without seeking public consensus and not even consulting the major political parties in our country. We have a strong view that this is a very very serious issue and needs debate in parliament as the Honorable minister herself knows the importance of the FTA in clinching the deal specific to India. Post signing of FTA, your statement in Parliament in November 2014, didn’t even explain the brownie points favorable to our nation through FTA.

The high hopes on Nairobi fostered by the Honorable Minister on 28/11/2014 after clearing all huddles to the developed countries led by US from the deadlock created on 31/07/2014 to the Trade Facilitation Agreement-TFA-now proved futile. The time framed decision on permanent solution before 31/12/2015 assured by the General Council of WTO on 27/11/2014, is further extended without a time frame by the Director General of WTO through letter dated 21/12/2015.

To our great distress, after achieving TFA from the dead lock created by India during July /2014 and on voluntary withdrawal by India, the US and EU, now opened the other door to say that DDA is dead. Report says that India not even raised its objection, when China, the other member in the five member team was almost waging a war against the move of US and EU (Ref:EPW 12/03/2016 P50).

TFA is one of the four major Singaporean Agenda, which was thrown out in 2003 Cancun meet of DDA, found its way into DDA and became a ‘binding’ agreement as WTO, wherein 2001 DDA, which centered on public stock holding of food security could not find place in the agreement or a permanent solution as a package of Bali meet or at least compliance of General Council time frame decision before 31/12/2015, leave alone single undertaking assured by DDA as”nothing is agreed till everything is agreed”. Now public stock holding is reduced from term of WTO agreement to the best endeavor clause. Therefore the ministry is in crucial juncture to explain to the public how it is going to achieve the Public Stock Holding after losing all its golden opportunities.
When SSM is not covered by the ‘peace clause’ of no legal dispute till permanent solution, what relevance the SSM will have when TFA implemented in full force. We are unaware and could not imagine the situation, when TFA comes into force without any decision on permanent solution on public stock holding but with peace clause of no legal huddle. Will it not destroy our agricultural sector with agricultural trade influx through TFA? What assurance and mechanism is proposed by NDA government that this will not happen?

The effective abandonment of Doha Round at the Nairobi talks, NDA government has all the responsibility to address and reason out the failure of its move to ratify the FTA to the Indian public.
We have all the reasonable concerns and worries about how the ministry is going to face the grim situation of cotton growers, after cutting back export subsidy from 01/01/2017 though the farmer’s suicide is ever raising because of unbearable losses beyond their control.

Why India was unable to secure permanent solution in spite of strong support of majority of developing countries at Nairobi. NDA government’s weak posture in Nairobi has costed not only india but to all the developing and least developed countries awaiting to push the DDA agenda post Geneva ratification of FTA. The successful campaigning for the cause of the poor people across the globe in 2001 the DDA got shaped and this turned out to be the trump card for the developing and LDC till your ratification in Geneva on November 2014. Anyone going through your statement in Parliament on 5th August 2014 could easily understand on holding on to the DDA. ( Annexure enclosed)

Your plenary speech in Nairobi talks has all the components to indicate the world that the India is not prepared to talk tough on its commitments for her larger poor and the attitude of Indian mission to the Nairobi is not so encouraging to the countries and people who look for settlement for DDA, with only getting disappointed by your absence in the facilitators meeting aimed to address the agriculture negotiations. NDA’s lack of will to fight to move forward in DDA and take a lead in Nairobi talks including the steadied silence in the Green room negotiations helped the developed nations to take advantage in the WTO was not a secret to the world.

When a six point agenda, including public stock holding, SSM, along with export subsidy, cotton issue are at Nairobi how export subsidy and cotton issue, US interest matters alone found solution, and public stock holding and SSM are kicked further without any time frame.

What kind of further concession we bound to lose to secure the permanent solution on public stock holding and SSM?
Above all within a fortnight of 05/08/2014 statement at parliament, GOI, constituted High Level Committee under the head of former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Mr. Santhakumar, to restructure Food Corporation of India which is the only strong food bastion for an effective ‘Public Distribution System’ in a progressive state like Tamilnadu. The committee submitted its reports on 22/01/2015, sharply after India cleared TFA on27/11/2014, recommending for gradual transfer of subsidy to Direct Benefit Transfer system and allow the Food Security Act to sleep. Now it all real that there is an agenda with GOI than the assurance of the ministry in its rejoinder dated 05/05/2016.

In summing up we reiterate our fear about PDS(Public Distribution System) and the farm subsidies to small farmers in specific. It is nothing but the apprehensions expressed by the Honourable Minister on 05/08/2014, which was very precisely confirmed in the subsequent Nairobi meeting.

Our concerns and fears were right on seeing the clearance TFA. Now the ministry or the Honorable Minister is bound to dispel the fear with equal reasons and arms & ammunition on hand to get things achieved in WTO and the reasons to disband Food Corporation of India, the key institution for public stock Holding and ensure PDS.

In the foregoing reasons our contention in the press meet about PDS and Subsidy to farmers are substantive.

Thirumurugan Gandhi
MAY SEVENTEEN MOVEMENT

Annexure :
1. Excerpts from Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry 05-August-2014 13:12 IST.

2. Statement by Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha Regarding “India’s Stand in the WTO”
3. Amongst these Ministerial Decisions, two are of particular significance — the Ministerial Decision for an Agreement on Trade Facilitation and the Ministerial Decision on Public Stock-holding for Food Security Purposes.
4. The Trade Facilitation Agreement is basically aimed at greater transparency and simplification of customs procedures, use of electronic payments and risk management techniques and faster clearances at ports. We have autonomously taken several similar measures such as the ‘Indian Customs Single Window Project’ announced in the Budget 2014-15 to facilitate trade, under which importers and exporters will be able to lodge documents at a single point, reducing interface with Governmental agencies, dwell time and the cost of doing business.
5. The Protocol of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was to be adopted by 31 July 2014 by the WTO. After this the Agreement would automatically come into force from 31 July 2015 if ratified by two-thirds of the members of the WTO.
6. In contrast to their efforts on Trade Facilitation in the WTO, some developed countries have been reluctant to engage on other issues.
7. Seeing the resistance to taking forward the other Decisions, the apprehension of developing countries was that once the process of bringing the Trade Facilitation Agreement into force was completed, other issues would be ignored, including the important issue of a permanent solution on subsidies on account of public stock-holding for food security purposes.
8. India, therefore, took the stand that till there is an assurance of commitment to find a permanent solution on public stock-holding and on all other Bali deliverables, including those for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), it would be difficult to join the consensus on the Protocol of Amendment for the Trade Facilitation Agreement

9. Nairobi Package : https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/mc10_e/nairobipackage_e.htm

10. WTO site: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/fac_21apr16_e.htm

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’தமிழீழம், தமிழகம், தமிழகத் தேர்தல்’ பத்திரிக்கையாளர் சந்திப்பு https://may17iyakkam.com/58193/en/pressreleases/may-17-stand-for-2016-tn-election/ https://may17iyakkam.com/58193/en/pressreleases/may-17-stand-for-2016-tn-election/#respond Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:52:12 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/?p=58193  

தமிழினத்தின் கோரிக்கைகள் சர்வதேச அளவிலும், இந்திய பாராளுமன்ற அளவிலும் விவாதத்தினை எதிரொளித்துக்கொண்டிருக்கும் தருணத்தில் நடக்க இருக்கும் இந்த தேர்தல் முக்கியமான நகர்வுகளை கொண்டிருக்கிறதாக மே17 இயக்கம் கருதுகிறது.

இந்நிலையில் தமிழகத்தின் பெரிய கட்சிகளான அதிமுக, திமுக, தேமுதிக ஆகியவை கடந்த ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளில் தமிழகத்தின் கோரிக்கையான ஈழவிடுதலை, தமிழினப்படுகொலைக்கான சர்வதேச விசாரணை, இந்திய அதிகாரிகள், அமைச்சர்கள் மீதான விசாரணை-நடவடிக்கை குறித்து இந்திய அளவிலும், சர்வதேச மட்டத்திலும் விவாதத்தினை கொண்டுவர மறுத்தார்கள். தமிழர்களின் குறைந்தபட்ச அதிகாரத்தினை வைத்திருக்கும் வாய்ப்பிருக்கும் தமிழக அரசு ஈழப்படுகொலையில் சடங்குரீதியான நடவடிக்கைகளையே எடுத்து தமிழக மக்களை தொடர்ந்து ஏமாற்றிவருகிறது என்பதை இத்தருணத்தில் பகிரங்கமாக குற்றம் சாட்டுகிறோம்.

இந்திய பாராளுமன்றத்தில், மாநிலங்களவையில் தமிழினப்படுகொலைக்கு காரணமான இந்திய வெளியுறவுக் கொள்கை குறித்து எந்தவித விவாதத்தினையும் தமிழகத்தின் பிராந்திய பெரிய கட்சிகளான அதிமுக, திமுக ஏற்படுத்தவில்லை. மத்தியில் அதிகாரத்தில் பங்கு பெற்றிருந்த திமுகவும், 2014க்கு பின் இந்தியாவின் மூன்றாவது பெரிய கட்சியாக பாராளுமன்றத்தில் இருக்கும் அதிமுகவும் இந்தியாவின் வெளியுறவு-பாதுகாப்பு கொள்கையை கேள்விக்குள்ளாக்கவில்லை. ஆனால், இந்தியா பல்வேறு பாதுகாப்பு, வர்த்தக, அரசியல் உறவுகளை இலங்கையோடு வலுப்படுத்தியது கடந்த 5 ஆண்டுகாலத்தில். தமிழக சட்டசபையில் கண் துடைப்பு தீர்மானத்தினை அதிமுக கொண்டுவந்து நிறைவேற்றியதால் எந்தவித முன்னேற்றத்தினையும் அது கொண்டுவரவில்லை, மாறாக தமிழீழ ஆதரவாளர்களை ஒடுக்கும் போக்கினையும், ஈழ அகதிகள் ஒடுக்கப்படுவதையும் செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

இதே போன்றதொரு நிலையையே ராஜீவ் மரண வழக்கில் பொய்க் குற்றச்சாட்டிற்கு ஆளாகி சிறையில் 24வருடங்களாக அடைப்பட்டிருக்கும் சிறைவாசிகளையும், பிற இசுலாமியர் உள்ளிட்ட அரசியல் சிறைவாசிகளையும் விடுதலை செய்யக் கூடிய அரசியல்சாசனப்பிரிவு 161இன் கீழ் விடுதலை செய்யாமல் திட்டமிட்டே அதிமுக அரசு தடுத்துவருகிறது. இந்திய அரசு (காங்கிரஸ்/பாஜக) ஆகியவை தமிழர் விரோத நிலைப்பாடுகளை எடுத்து வருபவை என்று தெரிந்தும் இக்கட்சிகளுக்கு விடுதலை செய்யும் பொறுப்பை ஒப்படைப்பதன் மூலம் இவர்கள் விடுதலையை தடுப்பதாக பகிரங்கமாக குற்றம் சாட்டுகிறோம். இன்றய தேதியில் கூட பேரறிவாளன், முருகன், சாந்தன், நளினி, செயக்குமார், ராபர்ட்பயஸ், ரவிச்சந்திரன் ஆகியோரை உடனடியாக விடுதலை செய்துவிட முடியக் கூடிய அதிகாரம் இருந்தும் அதிமுக அரசு தட்டி கழிக்கிறது. இந்த நேர்மையற்ற செயலை திமுகவும், எதிர்க்கட்சி தேமுதிகவும் கண்டிக்காமலும், தங்களது தேர்தல் வாக்குறுதிகளில் முன்னிலைப்படுத்தாமலும் தவிர்க்கின்றன.

தமிழீழ அகதிகள், தமிழீழ ஆதரவு இயக்கங்கள் ஆகியவற்றினை ஒடுக்குவதற்காக பயன்படுத்தப்படும் விடுதலைப் புலிகள் மீதான தடையை நீக்குவது குறித்து தேர்தல் கட்சிகள் பகிரங்கமாக நிலைப்பாடு எடுக்கவேண்டும். இத்தடையை நீக்குவதை செயல்திட்டமாகவும், அரசியல் சாசன நிறுவனத்தின் கீழ் இல்லாமல் நேர்மையற்ற ஒரு நடவடிக்கையாக இதை செயல்படுத்தும் இந்திய அரசின் அதிகாரத்தினை கேள்விக்குள்ளாக்கும் நிலைப்பாடுகளை தமிழகத் தேர்தல் கட்சிகள் பகிரங்கமாக அறிவிக்க வேண்டும். விடுதலைப்புலிகள் இயக்கமாக இல்லை என்பதாக பகிரங்கமாக இந்திய அரசு அறிவித்த பின்னர், இந்த தடையை தமிழகத்தினை ஒடுக்குவதற்காகவே பயன்படுத்திவருகிறது. இத்தடையை நீக்குவது குறித்து தேர்தல் கட்சிகள் இதுவரை பகிரங்கமாக நிலைப்பாடு எடுக்கவில்லை என்பதை கவனத்தில் கொண்டுவர விரும்புகிறோம்.

தமிழினப்படுகொலை நிகழ்வதற்கு இந்திய அரசும் அதன் அதிகாரிகள், அமைச்சர்கள் ஆகியோர் உடந்தையாக இருந்தனர் என்பது அனைவரும் அறிந்ததே. இந்திய பாராளுமன்றத்தில் ஒப்புதல் வாங்காமலும், மக்கள் மன்றத்தில் இது குறித்து பகிரங்கமாக விவாதிக்காமலும் இந்திய அரசு இலங்கைக்கு துணையாக நின்று இனப்படுகொலையை செய்து முடித்தது. இந்த இனப்படுகொலையில் இந்திய அரசிற்கு பங்கு இருக்கிறது என்று ‘இனப்படுகொலைக்கான சர்வதேச வழக்கறிஞர்கள், அறிஞர்களாக’ செயல்பட்ட 14 அறிஞர்கள் ஜெர்மனியின் பிரேமன் நகரில் 2013 டிசம்பர் 10ஆம் தேதி பகிரங்கமாக அறிவித்ததை தமிழக கட்சிகள் கணக்கில் எடுத்துக்கொண்டு இந்திய அதிகாரிகள், அமைச்சர்களை சர்வதேச குற்றவாளிகளாக அறிவிக்கும் கொள்கையினை பகிரங்கமாக அறிவிக்க வேண்டும்.

சிறப்பு முகாம்கள் மூடப்பட வேண்டும். ஈழ அகதிகள் மீதான தமிழக க்யூ பிரிவினரின் கண்காணிப்பு, ஒடுக்குமுறை ஆகியவதை நிறுத்தப்படவேண்டும். ஈழ அகதிகளுக்கான அடிப்படை உரிமைகள், இந்தியா சர்வதேச அகதிகள் சாசனத்தில் கையெழுத்திடல் ஆகியவை குறித்து தேர்தல் கட்சிகள் பகிரங்கமாக அறிவிக்க வேண்டும்.

அமெரிக்க துணைத்தூதரக அதிகாரிகள் தமிழக தேர்தல் கட்சிகளை சென்று சந்தித்தது குறித்து பகிரங்கமான விசாரணை தேவை. தமிழகத்தின் உள் அரசியலில் தமிழினப்படுகொலையில் பங்கு பெற்ற ஒரு வெளிநாட்டு அரசின் அதிகாரிகள் தலையிடுவது வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கத் தக்கது. இந்திய ஜனநாயகத்தின் மீதான நம்பகத்தன்மையை கேள்விக்குள்ளாக்கும் செயலாக இதை பார்க்கிறோம். அமெரிக்காவின் இச்செயலை மே17 இயக்கம் வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறது.

தமிழக மீனவர்களை படுகொலைகளை செய்த இலங்கை அரச படையினர் மீது குற்றவழக்கு பதிவு செய்யாமல் தமிழக அரசு தவிர்த்து வருகிறது. இந்திய அரசின் கொள்கையை கண்டிக்கவோ, இந்திய அளவில் விவாதத்தினையோ அதிமுக, திமுக கொண்டுவரவில்லை. இந்தியாவின் பாதுகாப்பு கொள்கையும், வர்த்தக கொள்கையும் தமிழக மீனவர்கள் நலனுக்கு எதிராக இருக்கிறது. இக்கொள்கை குறித்த விவாதத்தினை முன்னெடுக்காமல் தமிழக மீனவர்கள் உயிரை பாதுகாக்க முடியாது. இதை தமிழக அரசியல் கட்சிகள் அறிக்கையில் கொள்கையாக வெளியிடுதல் அவசியம்.

தமிழகத்தின் வாழ்வாதார பிரச்சனைகளான கூடன்குளம், கல்பாக்கம் அணு உலைகள் மூடப்படவேண்டும். புதிய அணு உலைகள் திறக்கப்படக் கூடாது. முல்லைப்பெரியாறு அணை பாதுகாக்கப்படுதலும், கேரள அரசின் அத்துமீறலான புதிய அணையை தடுப்பது குறித்து பகிரங்கமாக அறிவிக்க வேண்டும். நியூட்ரினோ திட்டம், மீத்தேன் எரிவாயு, ஓ.என்.ஜி.சி நிறுவனங்கள் வெளியேற்றப்படுதல், கெயில் குழாய் பதிப்பு தடுத்து நிறுத்தப்படல் வேண்டும். கனிம வளக் கொள்ளையை தடுப்பதும், கொள்ளையர்கள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பது குறித்தும் பகிரங்கமாக கட்சிகள் அறிவிக்க வேண்டும். குறிப்பாக தமிழகத்தின் சி.பி.எம் கட்சியினர் இது குறித்து கேரள சிபிஎம் கட்சியின் நிலைப்பாடுகளை கண்டிக்கவும், மறுக்கவும், எதிர்க்கவும் செய்யாமல் இருப்பதை மே17 இயக்கம் கண்டிக்கிறது. சி.பி.எம் கட்சியின் ஈழ எதிர்ப்பு, புலிகள் எதிர்ப்பு நிலைப்பாட்டினையும், செயல்படுதலையும் பகிரங்கமாக கண்டிக்கிறோம்.

உலக வர்த்தக ஒப்பந்தத்தில் தமிழக மக்களுக்கு தீங்கு விளைவிக்கும் வகையில் இந்திய அரசு கையெழுத்திட்டதை தமிழக கட்சிகள் இதுவரை கண்டிக்க முன்வரவில்லை. ரேசன் கடைகள் மூடப்படுதல், உணவு தானிய சேமிப்பு, விவசாய மானிய நீக்கு, தடையற்ற உணவு இறக்குமதி ஆகியவை தமிழகத்தின் விவசாயிகள், சிறுவர்த்தகம் ஆகியவற்றினை முழுவதுமாக முடக்குவதும், விவசாயிகளை தற்கொலைக்கு தள்ளுவதுமான இக்கொள்கையை தடுப்பதை பகிரங்கமாக தேர்தல் கட்சிகள் அறிவிக்க வேண்டும்.

சாதி ஆணவப்படுகொலைகளை அதிமுக அரசு ஊக்குவிக்கும் நிலைப்பாடுகளையே எடுத்துவருகிறது. இதை திமுக, தேமுதிக ஆகிய பிரதான கட்சிகள் கண்டிக்கவோ, நெருக்கடி கொடுக்கவோ முன்வரவில்லை. இந்த சூழலே ஒடுக்கப்பட்ட மக்கள் மீதான கொலைகள் நிகழ காரணமாக இருக்கிறது. இதை பகிரங்கமாக தேர்தல் கட்சிகள் கண்டிக்கவும், சட்டம் நிறைவேற்றுவதை கொள்கையாக அறிவிக்கவும் வேண்டும்.

இந்த நிலைப்பாடுகளை எடுக்காத கட்சிகள், குறிப்பாக பிரதான கட்சிகள் ஆகியவை ஈழம், தமிழக தமிழர் ஆகியோர் நலனுக்கு எதிராகவே இருக்கும். இக்கட்சிகள் தங்களது நிலைப்பாடுகளை மாற்ற வேண்டும். இல்லாது போகும் பட்சத்தில், இவர்களுக்கு எதிரான பிரச்சாரத்தினை மே பதினேழு இயக்கத் தோழர்கள் முன்னெடுப்பார்கள்.

மே பதினேழு இயக்கம்
98840 72010

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Vigil at Marina tomorrow https://may17iyakkam.com/473/en/vigil-at-marina-tomorrow/ https://may17iyakkam.com/473/en/vigil-at-marina-tomorrow/#respond Sat, 19 May 2012 13:42:00 +0000 http://may17iyakkam.com/activities/vigil-at-marina-tomorrow/

CHENNAI : A candle light vigil on the Marina sands on Sunday, May 20, will mark the third anniversary of the Mullivaikkal massacre. The participants would urge the international community to treat the atrocities and killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka as a clear case of genocide.
At a press conference on Friday, the organisers demanded a referendum on the formation of Tamil Eelam by the UN involving all Lankan Tamils across the globe.
Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam president Kolathur Mani, May 17 Movement leader Thirumurugan Gandhi, poet Kasi Viswanthan and others urged the people to gather near the Kannagi statue at 5 pm on Sunday to pay homage to those killed in Lanka. LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan, CPI leaders D Raja and R Nallakannu, MDMK founder Vaiko, Naam Tamilar chief Seeman and Tamil Nationalist leader P Nedumaran will participate.
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