"To us all towns are one, all men our kin. |
"To us all towns are one, all men our kin. |
| Home | Trans State Nation | Tamil Eelam | Beyond Tamil Nation | Comments |
Home> Struggle for Tamil Eelam > Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam > Velupillai Pirabaharan > Annai Poopathi Fast for Freedom, Message 1990 > Women & the Struggle for Tamil Eelam
Annai Poopathy's Fast for Freedom
Second Anniversary Message
March 1990
"Today, we cherish the memory of a great martyr and salute her supreme sacrifice. Mother Poopathi has earned our highest esteem as one of the noble martyrs who have become legends in the history of our liberation struggle. As a woman, as a mother, as the maternal head of the family, Poopathi amma transcended her ordinary life and the bonds of existential attachment in sacrificing her life for the emancipation of her nation.
Her act of sacrifice is unprecedented, a novel feat in the history of the world. The Gandhian nation felt humiliated when she launched a non-violent, moral war against the violence of the Indian occupation army.
Poopathi amma did not die an ordinary death as an individual. Her death symbolised the collective upsurgence of the women of Tamil Eelam. It is because of this reason we celebrate the day of her death anniversary, as a day of national upsurgence, as a glorious day marking the defeated withdrawal of the Indian army of aggression.
Our national liberation struggle is advancing forward having faced so many trials and tribulations having faced so many critical situations, having faced so many historical turning points. When we analyze the movement of our struggle historically, we can say that the most critical and dangerous phase of our struggle was the period of Indian military aggression.
The Indian intervention was the most serious challenge posed against our freedom struggle. It was the first time in the history of our liberation struggle that we encountered the direct intervention of a regional superpower. It was the first time we faced the aggressive army of a foreign power.
When our homeland was occupied, and when our people faced an all-out war, no one came to our help or assistance, not a single country in the world voiced for us. The superpowers and all the countries in the Third World supported Indian military intervention.
The former government of Jayawardene collaborated with India. Our fraternal Tamil organisations turned traitors in supporting Indian aggression.
Alone, we faced the Indian intervention. Alone, we fought the fourth largest army in the world. Alone, we struggled to keep the flame of national freedom burning. Finally, we were victorious.
Our deep and firm commitment to the cause, our fearlessness in the face of death, our heroism, our firm belief in justice, truth and righteousness are the essential factors that led to our victory. This is a victory for the people of Tamil Eelam, a victory for the children of Tamil Eelam who are our freedom fighters, a victory for our liberation organisation which is the movement of the people.
Our people are our mountains. We are at a historical turning point, having successfully encountered the challenge posed by the Indian domination. But as long as the power of the people is behind us, we are prepared to face any new challenges. No force on earth can subdue a people who are deeply committed and mobilised for a common goal.
On this day of national upsurgence, when we celebrate the victory over the Indian aggression, we pay our tribute to the great martyrs and heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of our people."
