A Harrow man went on hunger strike near the UK Parliament Gate to draw attention to the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Thaya Idaikkadar, who is a British citizen of Sri Lankan origin, is taking no food or liquid for five days which started at noon on June 2. He has been driven to take this desperate measure because of the escalating attacks on Tamil civilians in recent weeks. The fragile ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil fighters is breaking down and Tamil civilians are being targeted in daily acts of violence and savagery.
Shri Idaikkadar said, ?The world is ignoring this developing tragedy. If the international community does not act soon we will be guilty of condoning the massacres of innocent civilians. We must intervene and bring both sides to the negotiating table. Otherwise we will continue to see more senselesss laughter?
Shri Idaikkadar, 55, is married with two children. He was recently re-elected as a Councillor in the London Borough of Harrow. As a heavily insulin-dependent diabetic this hunger strike could be particularly dangerous for him. He will be attended by a team of doctors working in shifts throughout his vigil. He is well aware of the risks to which he is exposing himself but believes that it is vital to get attention focused on the unfolding disaster.
(Hindu Council, UK, e-mail: thaya10@aol.com)
