Mohit Kumar at 16:38, 11 April 2026

2026-04-11T16:38:06Z

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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 = [[protests against the Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| 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]], [[Switzerland]]
| date = 11 March – October 2013<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 = [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| coordinates =
| causes = Retaliation for [[War crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war|war crimes]] committed against the [[Sri Lankan Tamils|Sri Lankan Tamil]] people during the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| goals = {{Bulleted list
|Pressure the [[Government of India]] to vote in support of a [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] (UNHRC) resolution condemning the [[Government of Sri Lanka]] for [[war crimes]]
|Impose [[economic sanctions]] on [[Sri Lanka]]
|Boycott the [[2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]] hosted by Sri Lanka
|Prosecution of [[Sri Lankan President]] [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] for war crimes
|Formation of a separate Sri Lankan Tamil state, [[Tamil Eelam]]}}
| methods = [[Hunger strike]]s, [[Picketing (protest)|picketing]]s, [[protest marches]], [[sit-in]]s, [[self-immolation]]
| result = {{Bulleted list
|[[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] passes the [[2013 Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution on Sri Lanka]]
|[[Indian Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] boycotts the [[2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]]}}
| side1 = '''Tamil protesters and organizations:'''<br>{{Bulleted list
|[[Students Federation for Freedom of Tamil Eelam]]
|[[Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation]]
|[[Naam Tamilar Katchi]]
|[[Tamil film]] actors
|[[Tamil diaspora]] (abroad)
}}
----
'''Supported by:'''<br>{{flagicon image|TamilNadu Logo.svg}} [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]{{Bulleted list
|{{flagicon image|Indian_election_symbol_two_leaves.svg}}[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|{{flagicon image|Flag DMK.svg}} [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]}}
| side2 = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}<br>{{flagdeco|India}} [[Government of India]]
* [[Tamil Nadu Police]]
| casualties1 = {{unbulleted list
| 2 deaths<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/sri-lanka-issue-protests-in-tamil-nadu-claim-another-life-156812-2013-03-21 |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>
| 500+ arrested<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>
}}
| casualties2 = None
| notes =
}}
The '''2013 anti-Sri Lanka protests''' were a series of [[student protest]]s led by [[Tamils|Tamil]] protesters and activists in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]] in retaliation for [[War crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war|war crimes]] committed against the [[Sri Lankan Tamils|Sri Lankan Tamil]] people by the [[Sri Lankan Army]] during the [[Eelam War IV|final stages]] of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]] in 2009.

Protests were initiated by the [[Students Federation for Freedom of Tamil Eelam]]. 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> More radical sects of the protests demanded the prosecution of [[Sri Lankan President]] [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] 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==
===Tamil Nadu===
[[File:Tamil Eelam Champion Seeman Speech Outside UN headquarters Geneva 001.jpg|thumb|Tamil actor and politician [[Seeman]] addressing a [[Tamil diaspora]] gathering in March 2013]]
Protests began on 11 March 2013, when eight students of [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]], [[Chennai]] fasted in condemnation of alleged atrocities committed against Tamils in Sri Lanka. All 8 students were promptly 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 arrests were criticised by student organisations as well as the management of Loyola College and nine colleges across the city went on strike in response.<ref name="thehindu_20130312" />

Following protests saw students from all over Tamil Nadu take to streets in a massive outrage against the predominantly-[[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] [[government of Sri Lanka]]. A large number of students participated in the protest, including students from other states whom were temporarily studying in Tamil Nadu.

A statewide general strike declared on 12 March by the [[Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation]] (TESO) evoked a mixed response, with most political parties in the state remaining aloof and alleging inaction on the part of the main participant, the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK).<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>

On 16 March, a Sri Lankan [[Buddhist monk]] was attacked at the [[Brihadeeswara Temple]] in [[Thanjavur]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130317/news-current-affairs/article/lankan-monk-roughed-thanjavur-temple | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320023441/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130317/news-current-affairs/article/lankan-monk-roughed-thanjavur-temple | url-status=dead | archive-date=20 March 2013 | title=Lankan monk roughed up in Thanjavur temple | work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] | date=17 March 2013}}</ref> Another monk was attacked the following day, at [[Chennai Central]].<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>

Student organisations called for statewide agitations on 18 March. 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> The [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] declared the indefinite closure of 525 engineering colleges affiliated to [[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> and several other arts and science colleges in the state were forced 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 remained closed, student groups organised protests using [[social media]].

On 2 April 2013, several [[Tamil film]] actors staged a one-day fast in support of the protests.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 April 2013 |title=Film actors fast for Sri Lankan cause |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-film-industry-stages-fast-over-sri-lankan-tamils-issue/article4572698.ece |access-date=16 May 2013 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

===International===
On 20 June 2013, during the [[2013 ICC Champions Trophy]] semi-final match between [[India national cricket team|India]] and [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] at the [[SWALEC Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]], several [[Tamil Eelam]] supporters invaded the pitch with [[Flag of tamil eelam|Tamil Eelam flags]].<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 bus for the Sri Lankan team and shouted anti-Sri Lankan government slogans at the cricketers.<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>

==Aftermath==
{{See also|2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting#Boycott}}
The [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] passed legislation on 27 March 2013 urging the [[Indian Government]] to impose economic sanctions on [[Sri Lanka]] and demand for the formation of a separate [[Tamil Eelam|Tamil state]] for the Sri Lankan Tamils. The resolution also called on the Indian Government to stop considering Sri Lanka as a "friendly country" and called for an international inquiry in "genocide and war crimes" against Sri Lankan Tamils.<ref name="Source 1"/><ref name="Source 2"/>

The resolution called for the formation of a separate Tamil 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" />

The resolution which was proposed by [[Tamil Nadu Chief Minister]] [[J. Jayalalithaa]] was unanimously passed by the Assembly. The resolution was passed following the debate in the Council regarding the then-ongoing protests.<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> 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 protestors 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 Assembly passed another resolution in October 2013, demanding that the Indian government boycott the [[2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]] which was slated to be hosted by Sri Lanka and also sought the temporary suspension of Sri Lanka from the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] until Sri Lanka takes steps to grant what they call similar rights to Tamils as those enjoyed by [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]].<ref name="ET">{{cite news |date=24 October 2013 |title=TN Assembly passes resolution demanding CHOGM boycott |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365926_1_sri-lankan-tamils-chogm-resolution |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027113617/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365926_1_sri-lankan-tamils-chogm-resolution |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 October 2013 |accessdate=27 October 2013 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 October 2013 |title=Tamil Nadu govt moves resolution demanding Centre to boycott CHOGM |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tamil-Nadu-govt-moves-resolution-demanding-Centre-to-boycott-CHOGM/articleshow/24646750.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027102937/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/india/43362036_1_chogm-resolution-tamil-nadu |archive-date=27 October 2013 |access-date=27 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 October 2013 |title=Tamil Nadu assembly passes resolution demanding India boycott Commonwealth meeting |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tamil-Nadu-assembly-passes-resolution-demanding-India-boycott-Commonwealth-meeting/articleshow/24650700.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027090634/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/india/43361776_1_sri-lankan-tamils-resolution-eelam |archive-date=27 October 2013 |access-date=27 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 October 2013 |title=India should stay away from CHOGM: Tamil Nadu assembly |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/tn-govt-urges-india-to-boycott-chogm-moves-resolution-113102400262_1.html |accessdate=27 October 2013 |newspaper=Business Standard India |agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] announced his decision not to participate in the event due to pressure from regional Tamil parties regarding Sri Lanka's alleged human rights record. External Affairs Minister [[Salman Khurshid]] represented India at the summit in place of the prime minister.<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news |title=Indian PM to boycott Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka over human rights issue, says official |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/indian-prime-minister-to-boycott-commonwealth-summit-in-sri-lanka-over-human-rights-issue/2013/11/10/d1e28016-49d1-11e3-b87a-e66bd9ff3537_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110081715/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/indian-prime-minister-to-boycott-commonwealth-summit-in-sri-lanka-over-human-rights-issue/2013/11/10/d1e28016-49d1-11e3-b87a-e66bd9ff3537_story.html |archive-date=10 November 2013 |accessdate=10 November 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

The protests led to strained relations between the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK), the main opposition party of Tamil Nadu, and the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) the then-ruling party of India. On 19 March, DMK president [[M. Karunanidhi]] announced the party's withdrawal from the INC-led [[United Progressive Alliance]], citing the INC's alleged disregard for the suffering of Sri Lankan Tamils as the DMK's reason for pulling out.<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> The DMK's withdrawal was well received by DMK supporters. This left the INC isolated in Tamil Nadu in the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 general elections]], contesting in 40 seats alone and losing in all constituencies. The DMK would eventually rejoin the UPA during the [[2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election]]s, but the alliance would once again lose to the ruling [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK).<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>

==See also==
*[[Attacks on Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anti-Sri Lanka protests, 2013}}
[[Category:2010s in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:2013 in India]]
[[Category:2013 in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:2013 protests]]
[[Category:Foreign intervention in the Sri Lankan civil war]]
[[Category:India–Sri Lanka relations]]
[[Category:Student protests in India]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu state legislation]]

2013 anti-Sri Lanka protests - Revision history

Mohit Kumar at 16:38, 11 April 2026