Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko and his supporters staged a protest here on Friday against Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajpaksa’s visit to India.
He was detained for some time when he tried to march to the Prime Minister’s residence.
MDMK workers also protested at Jantar Mantar, wearing black shirts and red bands and carrying placards and posters, demanding “strict action against Mr. Rajapaksa [for Sri Lanka’s war against Tamils]” and closure of the Sri Lankan High Commission here.
Alleging that Sri Lanka waged an “all-out war” against the Tamils, Mr. Vaiko accused the UPA government of backing the “genocide of innocent Tamils.” He warned the Congress-led coalition of a fitting reply from the people in the general election for its “assault” on Tamil sentiments. “We will not forgive the Manmohan Singh government for supporting Sri Lanka in its war against Tamils,” he said, addressing the protesters who burnt an effigy of Mr. Rajapaksa.