Lok Sabha likely to discuss Lankan Tamils issue on Thursday

Lok Sabha will discuss the Sri Lankan Tamils issue on Thursday at a time when the atmosphere is surcharged in Tamil Nadu over the matter with several parties demanding the government to adopt tough stand.
It will take place a week after a similar discussion was held in the Upper House. The discussion is under a rule which does not entail voting.
In an attempt to mount pressure on the government, MPs of DMK, a major partner of the ruling UPA, today attended House proceedings wearing black shirts after staging a protest inside the Parliament House complex.
Expressing solidarity with agitating members, DMK representative in the government, Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimackam, also wore a black shirt though he did not participate in the protest.

At the business advisory committee meeting, it was decided to have a short duration discussion on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue on Thursday under Rule 193, which doesn't entail voting, sources said.
The issue was raised vociferously by AIADMK members, who trooped into the Well of Lok Sabha twice raising slogans.

Outside Parliament, DMK MPs staged a protest carrying placards which read 'Save Tamils in Sri Lanka'.
Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu have already told party Vice President Rahul Gandhi that India should take a tough stand against Sri Lanka at the upcoming UN meet on Tamils issue as it was crucial for the party's future in the state.

The MPs had said that Rahul was told of the problems faced by Sri Lankan Tamils and the need for a political reconciliation and implementation of the 13th Amendment.
Dravidian parties, DMK and AIADMK, are making the Tamil problem a major issue in state politics and putting pressure on the Centre to take a stern stand in the UN Human Rights Commission.
India has already said that there should be accountability for such issues but has remained evasive on the position it will take at the UN on a resolution against that country.