India has every right to meddle in Sri Lanka: BJP

Express News Service

CHENNAI: India has every right to interfere in war-torn Sri Lanka, as thousands of Tamil refugees from the island nation are making their way into Tamil Nadu, senior BJP leader S Thirunavukkarasar said on Thursday.

Expressing concern over the situation in Sri Lanka, he said over 2 lakh Tamils, including women and children, were undergoing immense suffering due to lack of food and medicines. Temples and hospitals were being bombed and human rights organisations, media and the International Red Cross were not being allowed inside the conflict zone.

Thirunavukkarasar charged the Indian government with behaving like a spectator, while other countries were calling for a halt to hostilities. There was confusion on New Delhi’s stand on the issue, with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee making contradictory statements inside and outside Parliament.

He said the UPA government under Manmohan Singh was perceived as weak and, hence, Sri Lanka was not paying heed to India’s call. But under NDA Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Colombo acted according to New Delhi’s wishes.

The Rajya Sabha MP called for a negotiated settlement of the problem, with countries like Norway or even India playing the role of mediators. If voted to power, the Advani-led NDA government would take firm steps to end the war in Sri Lanka and start talks.