[Tamil Guardian] Hindu Federation of Switzerland slams Sri Lanka’s arrest of Vedukkunaari devotees

The Hindu Federation of Switzerland has condemned the arrest of eight Tamils at the Vedukkunaari Hill Athi Sivan temple and criticized the Sri Lankan archaeology department’s attempts to acquire Tamil Hindu religious sites. The federation accuses the government of trying to convert these sites into Buddhist ones.

The federation also delves into the historical context of Shaivism, emphasizing that Hindu temples scattered across Tamil Eelam are strongly tied to the Eelam culture and life. Despite many of these places being destroyed during colonial rule, efforts have been made to rebuild them and continue traditions.

The statement criticizes the Sinhalese-led governments since Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948 for oppressing Tamil people and distorting their religion, culture, and traditional lifestyle. The federation claims that the genocide carried out by these governments continues to date, and the Tamil Eelam has been struggling non-violently for over three decades to preserve what’s left.

The federation also notes that 15 years have passed since the Mullivaikkal genocide, the largest ethnic cleansing of Tamil people by Sri Lanka, and there has been no justice for Tamils.

Source: Conversation with Bing
https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/hindu-federation-switzerland-slams-sri-lankas-arrest-vedukkunaari-devotees