A tribute to Neelan
"Do Not Glorify Death... Celebrate Life"

July 29 is the death anniversary of Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam, 'Neelan', as he was known to those who had interacted with this noble soul politically, professionally and personally. Although, his death was cruel and an act of treachery to humanity, he certainly would not have wanted us to glorify his death. As Neelan noted in his last parliamentary speech relating to the Emergency Debate (June 15,1999), exactly two weeks before he was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), "We cannot glorify death whether in the battlefield or otherwise. We, on the other hand, must celebrate life, and are fiercely committed to protecting and securing the sanctity of life, which is the most fundamental value without which all other rights and freedoms become meaningless".

So, when Neelan’s wife Sithie asked me to write a tribute to Neelan on the occasion of his death anniversary. I readily agreed and decided that I would pen down some thoughts on the subject of pluralism, political diversity and the right to life - matters that were very much close to Neelan’s heart. In so doing, I am also mindful of the fact that although Neelan was an internationalist at heart, he had the interests of the Tamil speaking people in mind. Further, these concepts cannot be discussed in the abstract, particularly since they are inseparably linked to current developments within Tamil society and polity.

On the question of pluralism, Neelan, in any discussion or interventions relating to a negotiated political and constitutional settlement to the National Question, constantly impressed on the pivotal importance of gaining the confidence of the Muslims of the North-East as an essential prerequisite for securing regional autonomy for the Tamil speaking people of the North-East. Suffice it to say, in the present context when consultations are underway on the setting-up of an interim or a provisional administration, all efforts are being taken by the parties to negotiations to accommodate the distinct interests of the Muslim people who constitute a significant percentage of the population of the Eastern Province and a sizeable populace in parts of the Northern Province. In fact, this premise today constitutes the basis for any future negotiated political and constitutional settlement to the Ethnic Question and is taken for granted by all political parties, including the LTTE. The position that Neelan consistently advocated, irrespective of the vagaries of politics, has been vindicated.

Likewise, to Neelan gender was a crucial element in the pluralism equation. In this, it is hardly surprising that the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (Colombo) that he was instrumental in developing as an institute par excellence, has a strong gender component both in relation to staff and programme. We need to recognize the fact that the conflict has in fact propelled women into playing a key role in not only running households, seeking livelihoods and engaging in economic activities, but also in key decision-making functions in community-based activities. Ironically, other post-conflict situations have revealed the tendency for women to be relegated to their earlier subordinate roles once peace dawns and the post-war reconstruction begins. It is for women’s organizations and interested groups to rise to the challenge and for males like Neelan to extend their solidarity that goes beyond mere symbolism and without being patronizing.

On the question of political diversity, it must be recognized that the history of the Tamil resistance against State repression and discrimination did not begin with the LTTE; nor would it end with the LTTE. It is remarkable that just as much as the LTTE has shown tremendous resilience in the face of adversities, so have the other Tamil parties. They all made tremendous sacrifices in resisting state repression and discrimination. This includes the seasoned parliamentary parties like the TULF as well as the non-LTTE ex-militant Tamil political parties. And they like the LTTE have also made monumental mistakes, at one time or another, in denying to the people they represent their fundamental rights, including the right to life. The leadership of the TULF, to which Neelan belonged, was also guilty of complicity through its silence.

However, I wish to record two interventions made by Neelan in parliament that reflected his deep anguish over the manner in which the ‘right to life’ was being trampled on by the parties to the conflict. The first was his speech on June 12, 1998 during the Adjournment Motion on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary and Arbitrary executions.

To quote: "The sanctity of human life is the most basic of all human values and is the bedrock on which all other civil and political rights are grounded. In this House, since 1994, eight Members of Parliament have been cruelly and brutally assassinated. The never-ending cycle of political assassinations have cast a dark shadow on our public life. Most recently, the political assassination of Sarojini Yogeswaran has demoralized us, and we have been overcome with a sense of despair ....lt was recently conceded that more than four hundred combatants from both sides have died within a few days of the most recent offensive, and that thousands of them have been injured. Even yesterday reference was made in this House to the death of 25 civilians as a result of aerial bombardment within the theatre of conflict in Vanni..... We can no longer surrender to despair, Instead, we must accept that it is within our power to take practical measures to protect the right to life."

Another intervention in parliament by Neelan (Emergency Debate, July 8, 1998) which clearly brings out his deep-rooted respect and commitment to political diversity is as follows and is self-explanatory: "Although we differ from the EPDP in respect of our ideology and our basic approach to the national question, we were immensely distressed by the attack on its leader, Douglas Devananda, at Kalutara, as we abhor all forms of political violence. The cruel cycle of political violence must end if there is to be minimum political space for competitive democratic politics."

Neelan’s exhortations was to no avail. He himself fell victim to political violence at the hands of a suicide bomber, who in all likelihood may not have known the motive behind the order that came from his leadership. It would have been typical of Neelan to have forgiven his assassin at that cruel moment. And, who knows? Perhaps, his assassin may also have sought his forgiveness at that very moment which consumed the lives of both the assassin and the victim.

This situation cannot continue. Unfortunately it does, given the on-going spate of political killings, ironically in times of "peace" and in the name of "sole representation". I repeat here the question that I posed in my tribute to Neelan, two weeks after he died - a question that remains valid, "When will it all End"?

I wish to conclude on a personal note. To Neelan religion and spirituality was something very personal and private, as it is to me. However, I wish to end this tribute by citing a sloga from the Bhagawad Gita, for reasons I have no answer:

"Whatsoever know Him to be Indestructible, Eternal, Unborn and Inexhaustible, how can that man slay, or cause others to be slain?" (Bhagawad Gita, Ch 2, Slogam 21)