20/07/2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senior delegates of British Tamils Forum (BTF) met the leaders of Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) of India at the week ended 17th July 2011. The president of BJP; Mr Nitin Gadkari, all India president of the women wing; Mrs. Smriti Irani, former chief minister of Rajasthan state; Ms Vasundara Raje Scindia and Delhi MLA; Mr Vijay Jolly were amongst the members of the BJP team on a campaign tour to the UK. The BJP leaders were met in London by the BTF Team as part of their campaign to highlight and inform the international community, of the situation in North & East of Sri Lanka and the plight of the Tamil people in the island. Amongst various issues discussed, Mr Gadkari expressed BJP’s concern at the situation of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. He assured that he will be discussing this matter with his colleagues and at the forthcoming conference in Chennai.
He also agreed that the Indian government should take this matter seriously with the Sri Lankan government and as a leader of the party in opposition promised to raise this issue in the Indian parliament.
On the question of Independent International Investigation into the conduct of the war in Sri Lanka, BJP president; Mr Gadkari assured that, as a principal opposition party, BJP will impress upon the Indian government to make it mandatory for them to take this matter to international forums.
Commenting on the evidences shown on the Channel4 documentary “Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”, the President of the BJP women wing; Mrs. Smriti Irani said that she was very disturbed seeing the images and agreed to take the matter up at the party.
The former and the first woman chief minister of Rajasthan, Ms Vasundara Raje Scindia was very sympathetic on the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka who recognised the role of Tamilnadu state in bringing this matter to Delhi.
Delhi MLA; Mr Vijay Jolly expressed his shock on hearing about what has been happening to the Tamil people.
Mr S Pathmanathan of BTF Humanitarian advocacy team, who was part of the BTF delegation said “It is very important we engage with all National and Regional political parties in India and highlight the plight of Eelam Tamils”, he further stated that “Lack of understanding of the true situation and political reality of Sri Lanka is the primary reason for the level of apathy in India on Eelam Tamils’ plight”
BTF delegation handed a memorandum, credible evidence and other relevant informative material to Mr Nitin Gadkari.
Contact: Shan Sutha
Tel: +44 (0) 7927 023 912
Email: media@tamilsforum.com
Notes to Editors:
British Tamils Forum exists to harness the skills and the knowledge of the members of the forum, well-wishers and significant others including mainstream decision makers in the UK with the aim of alleviating the sufferings of the Tamils community in the Island of Sri Lanka and to further their right to self determination within a democratic frame work under pinned by international law, its covenants and conventions. For more information admin@tamilsforum.com and/or visit: www.tamilsforum.com
BTF Media Team <media@tamilsforum.com>