Vaiko Detained for Protesting against Mahinda Rajapaksa's Visit

Press Trust of India | Updated: May 26, 2014 17:40 IST

File photo of MDMK chief Vaiko

New Delhi: MDMK chief Vaiko was today detained along with 100 of his party cadres for defying prohibitory orders after he led a demonstration in Delhi against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

A section of protestors also set the Sri Lankan national flag on fire, besides burning the portraits of Mr Rajapaksa on Parliament Street in Delhi.

Addressing his supporters, Vaiko, whose MDMK is part of the National Democratic Alliance or NDA, said the presence of Mr Rajapaksa would "pollute the sanctity" of Mr Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

He also alleged that the Lankan President had committed genocide against the Tamils in the island nation.

"We have lost our brothers and sisters. They (Sri Lankan Tamils) have been brutally murdered. What for he (Rajapaksa) should be brought in?," Vaiko said.

He also appealed to the NDA urging them to not follow the path of the United Progressive Alliance or UPA Government on the Sri Lankan issue.

"I hope Narendra Modiji and his Government will understand the pain in our minds and the crime committed by the Sri Lankan Government with the help of the UPA Government," he said.

However, Vaiko clarified that he was not against the NDA Government and greeted Mr Modi, who is set to swear in as the Prime Minister today.

"We have not come here to oppose the swearing-in ceremony..... We extend our congratulations to Modiji to take this country to great heights," he said.

Vaiko, along with his supporters, was later taken into custody for defying prohibitory orders.

The MDMK chief had earlier written a letter to Mr Modi expressing his sadness over the invitation being extended to Mr Rajapaksa for the event.

Recalling that no Sri Lankan Head of State was invited when AB Vajpayee was sworn in as the Prime Minister, Vaiko had pointed out that even Manmohan Singh had not invited the Sri Lankan President for his swearing-in ceremony.

"They did not dare to invite Mahinda Rajapaksa to the swearing-in ceremony in 2004 and 2009," he said.

The Sri Lankan President arrived this morning for the ceremony.