Tamil Nadu leaders condemn India's ban on Tamil groups

Chennai, May 5 (IANS) DMK president M. Karunanidhi Monday condemned the central government's decision to ban 16 Tamil organisations and their 424 supporters at the request of the Sri Lankan government on charges of supporting terrorism.

Citing news reports, Karunanidhi said in a statement that at a time when Canada and the US have rejected Sri Lanka's request to ban the 16 overseas Tamil organisations and 424 of its supporters, India's acceptance of the request was severely condemnable.

Similarly, PMK founder S. Ramadoss condemned the government's decision to ban the organisations and individuals, saying it was "anti-democratic".

He said the Sri Lankan government has not given any proof of these organisations and individuals indulging in terrorist activities.

According to Ramadoss, organisations like the British Tamil Forum and Global Tamil Forum - now banned by Sri Lanka - are fighting to punish those guilty of war crimes in the island nation.

He said the US not only rejected Sri Lanka's request to ban the groups but also categorically said Colombo has no standing to make such a request.