SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media
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SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media. Phoenix - the Next Generation © All Rights Reserved Puradsi Media – Phoenix the Next Generation 1 a SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media. Phoenix - the Next Generation HFT 2020 The sacrifice of Lt. Col. Thileepan surpasses decades as one of resolve, sacrifice and uprising. What ideals arise when the next stage of Tamil resistance rises under the wings of unwavering youth riding the tendrils of sacrifice to negate geopolitical powers that join forces to deprive political spaces and legacies upholding such resilience? Proceed to page 02 for more. Relative Peace The end of the armed conflict has seen a massive set back in the lives of Tamils across occupied Eelam. With the presence of grotesque threat, Tamils and marginalised communities live in a constant repression. While, the Government of Sri Lanka dances around the international stage citing relative peace and unity. The question remains, what is relative peace and who does it benefit? Proceed to page 11 for more. "மக்கள் புரட்殿 வெ羿க்கட்翁ம் 毁தந்鎿ரத் தமிழீழம் மலரட்翁ம்!" Lt. Col. Thileepan © All Rights Reserved Puradsi Media – Phoenix the Next Generation 2 a SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media. Phoenix - the Next Generation Hunger strike For Thileepan 2020 (HFT2020) Sacrifice constitutes a significant aspect in the Tamils’ struggle for liberation, where the sacrifice of martyrs remains as a doctrine which exposes and reinforces a multitude of political messages. One of those is that “Tamil sovereignty is inviolable and cannot be compromised.” This remains crucial in guiding the Tamils’ struggle for liberation especially within the current context where it continues to be pressurised and dismantled through various forces including geopolitical complicity as well as many others. As a result of such agendas, Tamil political spaces are targeted with pacification aims as a part of political COIN measures to deprive the struggling community to thrive. “The main aim of pacification in modern counter-insurgency techniques is the closure of the political space from which a rebellion derives its staying power and ability to spread its influence with ease. The military drive against a rebellion can consolidate its successes ultimately only if it can achieve a near total closure of the political space in which a rebellion is brought forth and thrives.” – D. Sivaram The political spaces which are often targeted in a period following the genocidal onslaught which occurred in 2009, remain those for commemoration as such sacrifices and collective mourning remain crucial in binding and unifying the collective psyche of Eelam Tamils and thus function as a thriving force for their resistance. The strategy of pacification is often achieved through the closure or tranquilisation of political spaces. When a political space is deprived of its ability to function as a thriving force for its people, it becomes neutralised as a threat for effective resistance. As a result, political spaces within the Tamil diaspora and the occupied Tamil homeland are often targeted through the following tactics: Dilution Intimidation Infiltration Neutralisation Deprivation Lt. Col. Thileepan and Tamil Political Spaces In a similar manner, the legacy of Lt. Col. Thileepan remains as a unifying force in invoking the Tamils’ collective political upsurgence. In addition to his role in the Tamil struggle as a cadre and the political head of Jaffna at the time, the need for Tamil resistance became unshakeable and urgent in nature through Lt. Col. Thileepan’s dry hunger strike unto death which resulted in his martyrdom. Whilst Lt. Col. Thileepan’s death shook the Tamils’ collective psyche to the core on the fundamental basis of humanity, it further exposed the regional superpower India’s complete disregard for the © All Rights Reserved Puradsi Media – Phoenix the Next Generation 3 a SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media. Phoenix - the Next Generation Tamils’ basic rights. As a result, it functioned in mobilising the Eelam Tamil masses against the genocidal oppressors at the time – the IPKF and the Sri Lankan state. Whilst Lt. Col. Thileepan’s demands remain unresolved to this day, his legacy continues to be targeted and diluted by various global powers as a means of pacification. As a result, the purification of political spaces which commemorate Lt. Col. Thileepan constitute a crucial component of keeping such political spaces open. This would then function as a counter-COIN tactic - similar to that implemented by the LTTE to preserve political spaces through the Tamil Eelam state. Counter-COIN and the legacy of Lt. Col. Thileepan From 2017, we as Phoenix-the Next Generation have conducted the HFT campaign in an annual manner to expose geopolitical complicity within current context whilst simultaneously purifying the political spaces throughout the diaspora through commemorating Lt. Col. Thileepan’s legacy in its entirety. Fundamentally, this campaign includes a 30-hour symbolic hunger strike through which demands towards our host countries, the genocidal Sri Lankan state and the international community are posed. Various commemorative practices are also conducted by Phoenix TNG in addition to such resistance as counter-COIN tactics against the pacification attempts undertaken by various powers. It is noteworthy that as a result of the HFT campaign, many diaspora organisations have revitalised their commemorations of Lt. Col. Thileepan through fasts and other means. In a similar manner, HTF2020 was conducted according to COVID-19 restrictions in a global manner with participation in the campaign from Eelam Tamil youth across 6 diaspora countries: 1. Switzerland 2. France 3. United Kingdom 4. Canada 5. Australia 6. New Zealand As a result, a total of 30 demands were formulated and posed through this year’s campaign addressing a multitude of grievances affecting the Eelam Tamils. In addition to the 30-hour symbolic global hunger strike, an online event was simultaneously broadcast live for the duration of those 30 hours on Phoenix TNG’s Facebook page. Such collective and amassed commemoration of Lt. Col. Thileepan’s legacy by diaspora youth combined with the strong resistance portrayed by the Eelam Tamils within occupied Tamil Eelam against restrictions and intimidation instilled upon commemoration, have sent a strong message to such genocidal powers. © All Rights Reserved Puradsi Media – Phoenix the Next Generation 4 a SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media. Phoenix - the Next Generation “இன்று நாம் இதத ஒரு அதையாளமாகத்தான் வெய்鎿ருக்垿ன்ற ாம். காலப்ற ாக்垿ல், இதற்埁ரிய ெரியான, வத쾿ொன 鎿ல்கள் எமக்埁க் 垿தைக்கப்வ றெண்翁ம்.” – Lt. Col. Thileepan Switzerland The symbolic hunger strike commenced on 25.09.2020 at 15.00 (European time). At that same time, a memorial event for Lt. Col. Thileepan and Col. Shanker was held at Waisenhausplatz in Bern, Switzerland. After the memorial rituals were completed, Phoenix TNG walked together as a group to Tamilar Kalari at Europaplatz. It is noteworthy that the protest of “Fridays for future” had also occurred at Waisenhausplatz on the same day, after the memorial event had concluded at the location. As a result, some interactions occurred Images of Lt. Col. Thileepan and Col. Shanker at Tamilar Kalari between Phoenix TNG members and activists from “Fridays for Future''. After finalising some arrangements at the Tamilar Kalari, Phoenix TNG members proceeded to the Indian embassy to hold a symbolic protest. Candles were lit in front of the embassy and transparents were held up. The day’s events concluded with a “Special-Poosai” for Lt. Col. Thileepan at Saivanerikoodam at Europaplatz. On 26.09.2020, Phoenix TNG participated at the memorial event organised by STCC in Zurich. Afterwards a small event was arranged by Phoenix TNG at Tamilar Kalari, where the studio for live streaming was organised. The event concluded at 21.00 with the completion of the 30-hour symbolic hunger strike. It is noteworthy that all of the participants broke their hunger strike and ate together. Australia / New Zealand In addition to participation in the 30-hour symbolic hunger strike and the online commemorative events, the Eelam Tamil youth of Australia and New Zealand had organised the first HFT2020 Convention. This convention was held online due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, it is noteworthy that this convention will be held in an annual manner as a part of the global HFT campaign. The theme for this The HFT2020 Convention booklet developed through the year’s convention was, “The Multi-dimensions of combined efforts of over 25 youth from Australia and New Zealand dedicated to Lt. Col. Thileepan during the local Lt. Col. Thileepan’s Struggle for Tamil Liberation” commemorative event in Sydney, Australia. © All Rights Reserved Puradsi Media – Phoenix the Next Generation 5 a SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2020 Puradsi Media. Phoenix - the Next Generation and had a wide array of presenters who addressed the theme from various viewpoints. It is noteworthy that the event was held online between 9am – 12 noon (AEST) and was open to the youth of the diaspora as well. The convention was live-streamed during Phoenix TNG’s 30-hour online event. It is noteworthy that the youth of Australia had composed an original music composition in memory of Lt. Col. Thileepan entitled “鏀 த் தாகம்: The Thirst of Thileepan”. This song was also released as a HFT2020 release during Phoenix TNG’s online event. Presentations from this year’s convention are as follows: Guest presenter: Non-violence and the struggle Nitharsan of Puradsi Media: Responsibility Mr. Ana Pararajasingham: Geopolitics Dr. N. Malathy: Female Lead Social Change Furthermore, over 25 youth from Australia and New Zealand had compiled a 50- page convention booklet including: detailed information about Lt. Col. Thileepan’s legacy transcripts and translations of Lt. Col. Thileepan’s speeches political analysis of his teachings colouring activities for children Following the completion of the online convention, the youth of Sydney participated and assisted in the organisation of the local commemorative event for Lt.