Kalaignar Karunanithy's address in the Tamil Nadu Assebly is noteworthy. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was replying to an adjournment motion moved by M.Kannapan of the MDMK regarding the response of the Sri Lankan government to the resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly recently.

In the resolution, Tamil Nadu Assembly had condemned the air strike on the Sencholi Orphanage and the killing of young orphans numbering 61.The address by the Chief Minister was rather a long one. Kannapan had criticised the allegation by the Sri Lankan government that the resolution was based on hearsay. He also condemned the central government's silence on the issue.

It is relevant to note that the Chief Minister reiterated that if it were a mistake for a Tamil to condemn the killing of another Tamil, then he would gladly commit the mistake again and again.

We express our gratitude to the Tamil political parties in Tamil Nadu and particularly to the Chief Minister for expressing their solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils at this hour of despair and for sharing their agony. It is a great solace for the Sri Lankan Tamils who are the victims of another war. At the same time we request the leaders of the political parties in Tamil Nadu to refrain from making any remarks or indulging in any acts that can jeopardise the undivided solidarity displayed by the Tamil Nadu people.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister explained that the Sri Lankan Tamil problem could be classified into two categories as periods before Rajiv and after Rajiv. If not for the unfortunate tragic incident, the position would have been different, he said. That was a turning point when the support of Tamil Nadu suddenly plummeted.

Karunanithy said he was happy the climate in Tamil Nadu has changed favourably now. He added that the news that the Sri Lankan Tamils are the victims of State terrorism was agonizing.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has a right to make his observations but he needs to be cautious about the reactions his remarks could spark. It is no secret that he has anti-LTTE sentiments but this is not the right time to air them.

Nevertheless there is a message in the address by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister who is recognized as the leader of the Tamils of the world. Yet he must make clear his position on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkkural, Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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