Introduction

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also known as the Tamil Tigers, was a separatist militant organization in Sri Lanka that gained significant support from Tamils living outside of Sri Lanka, particularly those in Tamil Nadu, India. This article explores the historical context and factors that led to this external support, with a focus on the roles of key politicians and organizations in India during the conflict.

The Role of Indian Politicians in Supporting the LTTE

1976-1983: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Support for the LTTE

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Initial Involvement

During the early 1970s and 1980s, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi played a crucial role in the formation and early support of the LTTE. In 1976, defying the friendly relations between India and the Western powers, Gandhi authorized the Indian government's research and analysis wing (RAW) to provide military training to Vellupillai Prabhakaran, the founder of the LTTE. This early support laid the foundation for the organization's military strength and subsequent expansion.

1983: The Escalation of Conflict and Proxy War

By 1983, the conflict had escalated, and Gandhi launched a proxy war against the Sri Lankan government. The Indian government's support for the LTTE became more overt, with the organization receiving arms and financial assistance under the cover of Indian security interests.

The Complexities of Political Motivations

Policy Shift and Rajiv Gandhi's Reversal

Upon becoming the Prime Minister in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi, who was Indira Gandhi's son, decided to reverse the policy and declared war on his mother's organization. This shift in policy led to a series of complex and conflict-ridden events.

1984-1986: The Conflict Continues Through a Proxy War

Rajiv Gandhi, through the Indian military, targeted the LTTE and other Tamil militant groups. However, these actions were met with limited success. The LTTE, under Prabhakaran's leadership, continued to resist, and the conflict intensified. Rajiv's attempts to suppress the LTTE did not gain favorable outcomes, leading to his eventual assassination by the LTTE in 1991.

Ethnic Conflicts and External Support

The Role of Ethnic Tensions in the Conflict

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The support for the LTTE from Tamils in Tamil Nadu, India, was driven by various factors, including

Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority in Sri Lanka Racial and linguistic differences Ethnic violence perpetuated by the Sinhalese government in the North

These factors contributed to a sense of solidarity and a desire for autonomy among Tamils both in Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka.

The Specific Support from Tamil Nadu

The Political and Emotional Ties

Some notable Tamils in Tamil Nadu supported the LTTE financially. One such individual was Jayalalitha, a prominent politician who had strong ties with Tamil Nadu's Tamil community. The support from Tamil Nadu's political leaders and the general Tamil population played a significant role in providing the LTTE with the necessary financial resources to fuel their military campaigns.

The DMK and Its Stance

In contrast, another major political party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), maintained good relations with the Sri Lankan government. This stance indicated the complexity of the political landscape in Tamil Nadu and how it intersected with the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.

The Aftermath and Resolution

The Long-Term Impact of External Support

The conflict in Sri Lanka continued for more than 18 years after Rajiv Gandhi's death. Despite billions of aid from India to their Sinhalese brothers, the Sri Lankan government finally succeeded in defeating the LTTE and the Tamil Tiger rebellion in 2009.

The Institutional Abuse of Tamils

These events highlight the institutional abuses and discrimination faced by the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The burning of the Jaffna Library in 1982 and the widespread human rights abuses committed by the Sri Lankan military and government forces during the 1950s and beyond have resulted in a deep-seated distrust and sympathy for Tamil causes among Tamils in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere.

In conclusion, the support for the LTTE from Tamils outside of Sri Lanka, particularly from Tamil Nadu, India, was influenced by a complex interplay of political, ethnic, and human rights factors. The actions of key Indian politicians and the broader geopolitical context of the conflict played crucial roles in shaping the trajectory of the Tamil Tigers' struggle.