The making of a militant leader
Interview with VELUPILLAI PRABAKARAN:
…Do you take the
commitment to Eelam as a serious political proposition for the
Tamil side — not just speaking for yourself or the LTTE? Or is it a
bargaining position, meaning you won’t give this up until an
alternative — a lesser political proposition — would come on the
agenda? Do you seriously believe that the struggle for Tamil Eelam
can be waged on a political front under the present circumstances
and seeing the position taken by India?
“Backward-looking
mode”
Certainly. If you look at our historical background, our
experience of struggle over 30 years or so has brought us
inescapably to this determination. Therefore we consider that only
Tamil Eelam can be a secure outcome for us and there can be no
alternative to this. The demands have evolved in stages. In 1961,
our people in their struggle for a federal set-up conducted a
satyagraha that brought the administration to a standstill. In 1961
itself, the demand for a federal solution was sharp and intense.
What is taking place today seems (laughs ironically)... a
backward-looking process…
…Could you give us
an idea of your personal heroes in revolutionary struggles or
liberation movements or in any sphere of life..... people and
experiences that have inspired you? And perhaps thereby give us
some insight into your own political evolution from the time you
were a schoolboy?
From my boyhood, the struggle that attracted me most was the
Indian freedom struggle. The role of Netaji attracted me very much.
I was brought up in an environment of strict discipline from
childhood. I was not permitted to mingle freely with outsiders. I
used to feel shy of girls. Great store was laid by personal
rectitude and discipline. My father set an example through his own
personal conduct: He would not even chew betel leaves. I modelled
my conduct on his..... he was a government officer, a district land
officer. A very straightforward man. People say in our area: “When
he walks, he does not hurt even the grass under his feet, but his
son is so.....” Even while criticising me, they marvel at the fact
that such a son was born to such a father! He was strict, yes, but
also soft and persuasive. In my own case, he reasoned rather than
regimented and his attitude was that of a friend..... he would give
me certain pieces of advice and discuss things with me. As I said,
I grew up as a shy boy.....especially in the matter or mingling
with girls.
The life of Subhas Chandra Bose attracted me specially. Even as
a boy, I would delve into Gandhiji’s books on experiments with
truth, on celibacy and so on. Subhas attracted me particularly
since even as a boy he went in search of spiritualism and, finding
the life of a recluse dissatisfying, returned (laughs)….I followed
this history and these stories with fascination. He became my
special hero and some of his orations gripped me. For example: “I
shall fight for the freedom of my land until I shed my last drop of
blood.” These words used to thrill me whenever they came to me.
Then the story of Bhagat Singh fascinated me.
In other words, the biographies and histories of those who hit
back at the perpetrators of injustice, those who counterattacked
(the unjust foe) were my special favourite. Because in our land,
the Sinhalese behaved so cruelly towards us..... we would hear
stories about this and read about these cruel acts in books and
newspapers..... Later I read about this particular episode that
took place during the 1958 attacks on Tamils.....they broke into a
temple at Panadura, found a Brahmin priest sleeping, tied him to
his cot, poured petrol over him and burnt him alive. Ours was a
god-fearing society and the people were religious-minded. The
widespread feeling was: when a priest like him was burnt alive, why
did we not have the capability to hit back? That was one atrocity
that made people think deeply. In another episode, they threw a
child into a drum of boiling tar. This left a very deep imprint on
my mind and in the minds of those around me. If such innocent lives
could be destroyed, why could we not strike back?
…. If I was attracted by the experience of armed struggle
against injustice, I was drawn by the moral force of ahimsa as
well. I was inspired by examples of grit and determination. I began
to think along these lines early in life..... why can’t we follow
their example? why can’t we start an armed struggle?
I used to read books on the rise of Napoleon and his
exploits..... this kind of history held special appeal.....in the
Mahabharata, the roles of Bhima and Karna were specially attractive
to me..... the spirit of sacrifice appeared crucial. People respond
to characters in the Mahabharata in various ways. I value the
character and role of Karna the most, on account of his readiness
to make the ultimate sacrifice..... I read some of Vivekananda’s
sayings and the urge grew in me to work towards a strong youth
force. I plunged into this line of thinking..... At what age? These
feelings and ideas began to take shape when I was 16 approximately.
I used to listen to the religious discourses of Kripananda
Variar..... I used to go to all these events..... those connected
with religion..... I would go and observe political meetings-attend
dramatic performances..... in my place, they used to enact plays on
Socrates and so on.
So quite early on, we absorbed all these influences and the
feeling grew in us that we must do something! Looking at our
historical background, we had to take up arms to fight for our
rights. The lesson was that they could do all this because we were
defenceless and disarmed. Why should we remain so? We should take
up violence to counter and overthrow their violence...Only after
that did I engage in this movement...
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/19/stories/2009051960070900.htm