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{{Short description|Student protests in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests
| side3 =
| partof =
| image = File:Tamil Eelam Champion Seeman Speech Outside UN headquarters Geneva 003.jpg
| caption = Protests led by [[Tamil people|Tamil]] activists outside the [[United Nations]] Headquarters in Geneva
| date = {{Start date and age |2013|03|08|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web|author =TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-20/chennai/37871093_1_student-protests-iit-madras-students-students-of-presidency-college |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411033500/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-20/chennai/37871093_1_student-protests-iit-madras-students-students-of-presidency-college |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |title=Student protests prove acid test |date=20 March 2013 |work =[[The Times of India]] |access-date=26 March 2013}}</ref>
| place = Mainly in [[Tamil Nadu]], Worldwide
| coordinates =
| causes =
| goals =
| methods = [[Hunger strike]] <br> [[Picketing (protest)|Picketing]] <br> [[Protest march]] <br> [[Sit-in]] <br> [[Self-immolation]]
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| casualties1 = {{unbulleted list
| '''Arrests:''' 500+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/hundreds-of-students-arrested-in-chennai-for-anti-lanka-protests-343783 |title=Hundreds of students arrested in Chennai for anti-Lanka protests |publisher=NDTV.com |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=26 March 2013}}</ref>
| '''Injuries:'''
| '''Deaths:''' 2<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lanka-issue-protests-in-tamil-nadu-claim-another-life/1/259053.html |title=Sri Lanka issue: Protests in Tamil Nadu claim another life : South, News - India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=22 March 2013 |access-date=26 March 2013}}</ref>
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The '''2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests''' are a series of [[student protest]]s and agitations initiated by the [[Students Federation for Freedom of Tamil Eelam]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]], against war crimes committed against [[Sri Lankan Tamil people]] by [[Sri Lankan army]] during the [[Eelam War IV]]. The protesters demanded that the [[Government of India]] vote in support of a [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] (UNHRC) resolution censuring the [[Government of Sri Lanka]] for [[war crimes]].<ref name="toi _20130316">{{cite news|title=Students protest continues in Tamil Nadu to press Centre for UN resolution against Sri Lanka|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-16/india/37766450_1_students-protest-school-students-lankan-tamils-issue|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411041532/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-16/india/37766450_1_students-protest-school-students-lankan-tamils-issue|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2013|date=16 March 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Some radical groups even demanded the prosecution of the [[President of Sri Lanka]], [[Mahinda Rajapakse]] for his role in the alleged genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils. Apart from college students, doctors, film personalities and employees of IT companies also participated in the protests.<ref name="thehindu_20130320">{{cite news|title=Techies swayed by anti-Sri Lanka stir|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/techies-swayed-by-antisri-lanka-stir/article4523008.ece?homepage=true|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=19 March 2013}}</ref>

== Protests in Tamil Nadu ==
The agitations started on 11 March 2013 when eight students of [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]], [[Chennai]], who fasted in condemnation of alleged atrocities committed on Tamils in Sri Lanka were arrested by the Tamil Nadu police.<ref name="thehindu_20130312">{{cite news|title=Amidst drama, students end hunger strike|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/amidst-drama-students-end-hunger-strike/article4498150.ece|date=12 March 2013|first=Vasudha|last=Venugopal}}</ref> The arrest was criticised by student organisations as well as the Loyola College management and nine colleges across the city went on strike.<ref name="thehindu_20130312" /> The following protests see students from all over Tamil Nadu take into streets, it was a massive outrage of Tamil Nadu people and students against sinhala government after 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom. From school to colleges a mass number of students participated in the protest. Students from other states lik who are studying in Tamil Nadu colleges too participated. Numerous protests, rallies held in marina beach which saw huge number of students. The anger and anguish of students turned against DMK and Congress which is the ruling party during 2009 Eelam war. A statewide general strike declared on 12 March 2013 by the [[Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation]] (TESO) evoked a mixed response with most of the political parties in the state keeping aloof alleging inaction on the part of the main participant [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) which was in power during the decisive stages of Eelam War IV.<ref name="thehindu_20130313_1">{{cite news|title=General strike evokes mixed response|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/general-strike-evokes-mixed-response/article4503349.ece|date=13 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/all-parties-barring-vck-keep-away/article4503348.ece | title=All parties barring VCK keep away | work=The Hindu | date=13 March 2013}}</ref> Student organisations called for statewide agitations on Monday, 18 March, forcing arts and science colleges in the state to close down for an indefinite period.<ref name="thehindu_20130316">{{cite news|title=Arts colleges closed|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/arts-colleges-closed/article4514675.ece|work=The Hindu|date=16 March 2013}}</ref> As colleges and schools remained closed student groups organised protest through social media, Tamilandu people who themselves are sympathetic towards Sri Lankan Tamils sent their children to take part in the protests. As protests peaked in Tamil Nadu national and international media provided good coverage. One remarkable effect of this protest is DMK chief Karuna fearing students outrage pulled out of congress alliance, On 19 March DMK chief announced withdrawal from UPA alliance citing Congress disregard to the suffering of Eelam Tamil.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/karunanidhi-clarifies-why-dmk-pulled-out-of-upa/article4529227.ece | title=Karunanidhi clarifies why DMK pulled out of UPA | date=20 March 2013 | newspaper=The Hindu | access-date=8 November 2018 }}</ref> When DMK pulled out of UPA it was well received by DMK supporters. Congress was isolated in Tamil Nadu in 2014 general elections it contested in 40 seats alone and lost in all constituencies. But ironically DMK formed alliance with congress again in May 2016 Tamil Nadu state elections showing its own colors.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/elections-2016/india/india-news-india/dmk-congress-alliance-sure-to-form-next-govt-in-tn-chidambaram/ | title=DMK-Congress alliance sure to form next govt in TN: Chidambaram | date=16 May 2016 | author=PTI | newspaper=The Indian Express | access-date=8 November 2018 }}</ref>

On 18 March 2013, large-scale agitations were held outside [[Raj Bhavan, Chennai|Raj Bhavan]], Chennai resulting in the arrest of over 500 students.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-18/india/37813323_1_protests-sri-lankan-tamils-students | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411034153/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-18/india/37813323_1_protests-sri-lankan-tamils-students | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 April 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Protests continue over Sri Lankan issue, over 500 students arrested | date=18 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="nytimes_20130318">{{cite news|title=Tamil Nadu students protest alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka|url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/tamil-nadu-students-protest-alleged-human-rights-abuses-in-sri-lankatamil-nadu-protests/|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=18 March 2013|first=Anupama|last=Chandrasekaran}}</ref> A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk was attacked in the [[Brihadeeswara Temple]], [[Thanjavur]] on 16 March 2013<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130317/news-current-affairs/article/lankan-monk-roughed-thanjavur-temple | title=Lankan monk roughed up in Thanjavur temple | work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] | date=17 March 2013}}</ref> and another at [[Chennai Central]] on 17 March 2013.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/319748/sri-lankan-monk-attacked-chennai.html | title=Sri Lankan monk attacked in Chennai | work=[[Deccan Herald]] | date=18 March 2013}}</ref> The [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] declared the indefinite closure of 525 engineering colleges affiliated to the [[Anna University]].<ref name="toi_20130319">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-19/india/37842724_1_college-authorities-students-of-professional-colleges-guindy-college | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411033150/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-19/india/37842724_1_college-authorities-students-of-professional-colleges-guindy-college | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 April 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Tamil Nadu shuts engineering colleges as campus stir spreads | date=19 March 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Tamil Eelam Champion Seeman Speech Outside UN headquarters Geneva 001.jpg|thumb|left|Noted political leader and Tamil activist [[Seeman (director)|Seeman]] addressing a [[Tamil diaspora]] gathering in March 2013]]
On 2 April 2013, actors from Tamil film industry staged a one-day token fast in support of student protests in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite web|author =Special Correspondent |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-film-industry-stages-fast-over-sri-lankan-tamils-issue/article4572698.ece |title=Film actors fast for Sri Lankan cause |work=The Hindu|date=2 April 2013 |access-date=16 May 2013}}</ref>

==Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution==
The [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Tamil Nadu State Legislative Council]] passed legislation on 27 March 2013 urging the [[India|Indian Government]] to slap economic sanctions on [[Sri Lanka]] and demand for the formation of a separate [[Tamil Eelam|state]] for the [[Tamils of Sri Lanka]].

The resolution which was proposed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister [[Jayalalitha]] was unanimously passed at the Assembly. The resolution was passed following the debate in the Council regarding the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|ongoing statewide students protests]] in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="Source 1">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130406061839/http://onlineuthayan.com/english-news/uthayannews/x27403y2h1h1r2p2 Uthayan Referendum for separate Tamil Eelam. Resolution unanimously passed at Tamil Nadu Assembly]</ref><ref name="Source 2">[http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=7427 Tamil Guardian Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution seeking Eelam referendum ]</ref>

The resolution demanded the formation of a separate [[Tamil Eelam|state]] in Sri Lanka, through the means of a referendum by a resolution at the UN Security Council which should be conducted among Tamils in Sri Lanka and other displaced Tamils across the world.<ref name="Source 2"/>

Moving the resolution, Jayalalithaa said the ongoing students protest was reflective of her government's initiative on the Sri Lankan issue even as she requested them to withdraw the stir and resume classes.<ref>[http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/tn-assembly-wants-india-to-move-unsc-resolution-against-lanka_838176.html Zee News TN Assembly demands referendum for separate Tamil Eelam ]</ref>

The resolution also called on the Indian Government to stop considering Sri Lanka as a 'friendly country' and impose economic sanctions, as well as calling for an international inquiry in "genocide and war crimes" against Sri Lankan Tamils.<ref name="Source 1"/><ref name="Source 2"/>

== In United Kingdom ==
On 20 June 2013, during [[2013 ICC Champions Trophy]] semi final match between India and Sri Lanka at the [[SWALEC Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]], Tamil Eelam supporters invaded the pitch with the flags of the Tamil Eelam.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-champions-trophy-2013/content/story/643955.html | title=Security breaches disrupt semi-final | publisher=espncricinfo.com | date=20 June 2013 | access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref> After the match, at least 400 protesters held up the Sri Lankan team bus and raised anti-Sri Lankan government slogans.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-champions-trophy-2013/news/209561-protesters-hold-up-sri-lankan-team-bus-after-supporters-invade-cardiff-pitch | title=Protesters hold up Sri Lankan team bus after supporters invade Cardiff pitch | publisher=NDTV | date=21 June 2013 | access-date=21 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624161805/http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-champions-trophy-2013/news/209561-protesters-hold-up-sri-lankan-team-bus-after-supporters-invade-cardiff-pitch | archive-date=24 June 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[2013 Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution on Sri Lanka]]
*[[Attacks on Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu]]
*[[Protests against the Sri Lankan Civil War]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130321124554/http://www.tamilrising.com/ Tamilrising.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anti-Sri Lanka protests, 2013}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2010s in Tamil Nadu, 2013 in India, 2013 protests, Student protests in India, Tamil Nadu state legislation, Resolutions (law), Assembly votes, India–Sri Lanka relations, Indian Peace Keeping Force, Foreign intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War
|description=
}}

[[Category:2010s in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:2013 in India]]
[[Category:2013 protests]]
[[Category:Student protests in India]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu state legislation]]
[[Category:Resolutions (law)]]
[[Category:Assembly votes]]
[[Category:India–Sri Lanka relations]]
[[Category:Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:Foreign intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War]]

2013 Anti Sri Lanka protests - Revision history

MetaBOT at 17:55, 8 July 2023