The expulsion of Muslims from Nallur is not talked or written by many but the author records fearlessly, which needs great strength and courage (Pages 20 and 145). It deserves great praise. He also touches on vital historical information on the first communal violence in the country which was against the Muslims in 1915. The loss of lives, rapes, the demolition of Mosques, shops, houses and the monetary loss are detailed. The government of the day considered it great injustice and proposed a special tax to compensate the Muslims. The author says Sir P. Ramanathan vehemently opposed it without any respect for justice and / or fair play in order to gain popularity and influence among the Singhalese. The author states that the absence of Muslim representation in the legislative council has denied the opportunity to get the compensation. The author states that the Manning and the Donoughmore reforms continued to deny the Muslims the right to elect their own representatives which he considers as great injustice. Even subsequent G.G. Ponnampalam’s 50 / 50 demands, Indo - Srilankan accord, did not address the Muslim rights and the aspirations, says the author.
Arumuganavalar’s concept that Saivam is Tamil and Tamil is Saivam portrays Muslims as, thoppi piraddi, beef eater, cheater, low cast and Sony (p. 69). This concept did not accept Christian Tamils also as equals (page 32). The author states that the contradictions within Colombo and Kandy upper class and the Saiva Vellala upper class led to the birth of communalism in the country. Killing of Muslims in the mosques, and the expulsion of Muslims from the north, the author considers as well planned to get rid of the Muslims wherever possible through whatever means. The causes for the misunderstanding between the Tamil s and the Muslims he analyses as religious, ethnic, cast and cultural upper cast elitism. In this connection, the author bravely records Sir P. Ramanathans description of the Muslims as Low cast South Indian Tamils converted to Islam (page 21).
The author also analyses how the Muslim majority is reduced, in Trincomalee from 37 % to 21% by the annexation of Seruwawila, in Puttalam from 31% to 9% through planned colonization and in Ampara the Muslim majority was reduced by annexing a part of Moneragala. In addition the systematic denial of Muslims representation through the annexation of Muttur electorate with Seruwawila. He also states that the PR system relegated the Muslims influence in the country. Under the old system the Muslims were the deciding factor in 60 electorates says the author.
As against this he records the pleasannt1000 years of Muslim -Tamil unity and the interwoven cordiality between the two communities in Batticaloa. Islam and Buddhism minimized cast system in the East; however the Tamil nationalism portrayed the Muslims as their enemy. The author is confident that the present representation of Muslim in the government as well as in the opposition in the East makes it difficult to attempt any move against the Muslims. He says that the Muslims also feel that the East is their province. However he warns that the muslin should be careful of forces that try attempt to destroy this unity. Tami movements did not trust the Muslims, inspite of this Muslims helped many people says the author (p. 26).
Tamil fascism is the cause of Muslim nationalism says the author (page 148). and concedes that all these pushed the Muslims to construct their own identity and they have their own right to self determination (p.30) Regionalism is more important now in the East than Tamil nationalism.
Class outlook in analyzing the compromise between the Dutch and the ruling elite the author explains in detail. Cast practices in Jaffna, the defense of religion, language and the ancient culture, Sir P. Ramanathan’s political leadership in Institutionalization of cast system through the THESAWALAMAI Law, untouchability , its injustices the need for reforms Maha kavi Bharathi’s opposition to the cast system , the author elaborates well in (p. 15) .
The author says that the foundation for Tamil Eelam was laid in 1923 by Ponnampalam Arunachalam when he lost his leadership in the Ceylon Tamil league (p.
The book reveals injustices committed on the Muslims and the Thaliths from time immemorial from social, political, economic perspectives. The book is very informative and inspiring. Especially those who are active in social, economic and political aspects of Srilanka. The Muslims should be grateful and encourage the author’s endevour to expose the injustices inflicted on them, which the Muslims hesitant to state.
Rauf M. Cassim
Oslo, Norway
02.04.11
நன்றி - தேனி இணையத்தளம்
0 commentaires :
Post a Comment