Tamil film actors held a day-long fast on Saturday expressing solidarity with the suffering Tamils in Sri Lanka but it was a subdued affair
CHENNAI: Tamil film actors held a day-long fast on Saturday expressing solidarity with the suffering Tamils in Sri Lanka but it was a subdued affair compared to the pro-LTTE speeches at another film industry rally in Rameswaram a fortnight ago.
The entire Tamil celluloid world turned up for the fast but the rhetoric associated with the industry was missing as speakers were forewarned against letting themselves loose and say things that will be on the wrong side of the law.
At the outset, South Indian Artistes Association President R Sarathkumar, who heads a political party himself, cautioned the speakers against making remarks which could be construed as being against the law of the land.
Directors Seeman and Ameer were arrested for their pro- LTTE remarks allegedly with a tinge of secession at the rally at Rameswaram. However, they were released on bail on Friday.
At the fast, money poured in for the Sri Lankan Tamils Relief fund, floated by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Tamil superstar Rajnikant contributed Rs 10 lakh and Kamalahassan announced a donation of Rs five lakh.
Rajnikanth and Kamalahasan and other top actors like Vijay, Ajit and Vijaykanth participated in the fast. Rajnikanth said the 'war' was going on in neighbouring Sri Lanka for the past 30 years but the island's government was not not able to find a solution and bring peace there.
"It is high time the Sri Lankan government admitted defeat and came out with a permanent solution to sustain peace", Rajnitkanth said.
One of the resolutions said that the Sri Lankan navy should not fire on Indian fishermen implementing the assurance given to India by President's special envoy, Basil Rajapaksa.
Another said that the Tamil Nadu government should ensure that the Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund reached the affected people and that the Centre ensure that steps were taken to stop the war against the Tamils living in Sri Lanka.
Around Rs 46 lakh was collected during the fast which will be handed over to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for the Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund.
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