Actor and political leader Vijay on Monday remembered the civilians who lost their lives on the final day of Sri Lanka's civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). May 18 is observed as Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day to honour the thousands of civilians killed in 2009 during the Sri Lankan Army's final offensive against the LTTE.
Vijay's tribute on social media
Taking to social media platform X, Vijay wrote in Tamil: "Let us carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts! We will always stand for the rights of our Tamil kin living across the seas!" The post was accompanied by a graphic depicting the Mullivaikkal remembrance symbol.
The actor, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, has consistently raised the issue of Tamil rights in Sri Lanka. His tribute comes amid ongoing calls for justice and accountability for the civilian deaths during the final stages of the civil war, which ended in May 2009.
Background of Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day
Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day is observed annually by Tamils worldwide, particularly in Sri Lanka and the Tamil diaspora. The day marks the end of the 26-year-long civil war, during which the Sri Lankan military launched a massive offensive against the LTTE in the Mullivaikkal region of northern Sri Lanka. Thousands of civilians were reportedly killed in the crossfire or caught in the fighting, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Many Tamil groups and political leaders in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, have demanded an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed during the final phase of the conflict. Vijay's statement adds to the voices calling for justice for the victims.
The post garnered significant attention on social media, with thousands of likes and shares within hours of being posted. Supporters praised Vijay for remembering the victims and standing up for Tamil rights, while critics questioned the timing and political motives behind the statement.
