WHY LTTE KILLED RAJIV GANDHI

The Rise of the LTTE

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) emerged as a militant organization in Sri Lanka during the 1970s, advocating for the creation of an independent Tamil state in the northern and eastern regions of the country. The group’s roots can be traced to the Tamil youth’s growing dissatisfaction with discrimination and marginalization by the Sri Lankan government, dominated by the Sinhalese majority. The LTTE’s charismatic leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, gained prominence as he rallied support among the Tamil population, fueled by the government’s failure to address their grievances.

LTTE’s Strategy of Violence

The LTTE employed a ruthless strategy of violence to achieve its political goals. The group engaged in guerrilla warfare tactics, targeting Sri Lankan security forces and civilians perceived as collaborators. Bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings became the hallmark of the LTTE’s campaign, spreading fear and instability throughout the country. The LTTE’s violent tactics drew international attention and condemnation, but the group remained resilient, gaining support from the Tamil diaspora and sympathizers worldwide.

Rajiv Gandhi’s Peace Efforts and Assassination

In the late 1980s, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi took the initiative to mediate the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. He brokered a ceasefire agreement in 1987, aiming to bring an end to the protracted civil war. However, the LTTE’s mistrust of the Sri Lankan government and its perceived betrayal by India led to the breakdown of the peace process. On May 21, 1991, during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, a female LTTE suicide bomber, Dhanu, detonated explosives strapped to her body, killing Rajiv Gandhi and 17 others.

Motivations Behind the Assassination

The LTTE’s assassination of Rajiv Gandhi remains a controversial and complex event. Several factors contributed to the group’s decision to carry out the attack:

Retaliation for IPKF Intervention:

India’s intervention in Sri Lanka in 1987, known as the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), was aimed at disarming the LTTE and enforcing the peace agreement. However, the IPKF’s heavy-handed tactics and alleged human rights abuses alienated the Tamil population, leading to resentment against India and Rajiv Gandhi’s government. The LTTE viewed the IPKF’s presence as an occupation and a threat to their separatist aspirations.

Perception of Betrayal:

The LTTE felt betrayed by Rajiv Gandhi’s government when India withdrew the IPKF from Sri Lanka in 1990 without securing a political solution to the ethnic conflict. The LTTE interpreted this move as a sign of India’s indifference to the Tamils’ plight, further fueling their anger and mistrust.

Symbolic Value of Rajiv Gandhi:

As the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi was a prominent figure in Indian politics and a symbol of national unity. By assassinating him, the LTTE aimed to strike at the heart of the Indian establishment and send a powerful message to the international community about their determination to achieve Tamil Eelam.

Aftermath and Consequences

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi had far-reaching consequences:

Escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War:

The LTTE’s attack on Rajiv Gandhi led to a renewed escalation of the Sri Lankan civil war. The assassination triggered a wave of violence and retaliatory actions by both sides, plunging the country into a deeper conflict with increased bloodshed and suffering.

Strained India-Sri Lanka Relations:

The assassination further strained relations between India and Sri Lanka. India accused the Sri Lankan government of failing to prevent the attack and harboring LTTE sympathizers. The strained relations affected diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

International Condemnation:

The international community condemned the LTTE’s assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries expressed outrage and called for justice. The LTTE faced increased international pressure and isolation due to its violent tactics.

Conclusion

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE remains a dark chapter in South Asian history. The LTTE’s motivations were complex, rooted in grievances, mistrust, and a desire for independence. The attack had far-reaching consequences, escalating the Sri Lankan civil war, straining India-Sri Lanka relations, and drawing international condemnation. The assassination highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, which eventually came to an end in 2009 after a protracted and bloody civil war.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who was Rajiv Gandhi?

Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He was the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the husband of Sonia Gandhi, who later became the President of the Indian National Congress.

2. What was the LTTE’s goal?

The LTTE’s goal was to create an independent Tamil state in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The group advocated for the rights of the Tamil minority, who faced discrimination and marginalization by the Sinhalese-dominated government.

3. Why did the LTTE assassinate Rajiv Gandhi?

The LTTE assassinated Rajiv Gandhi as an act of retaliation for India’s intervention in Sri Lanka and the perceived betrayal when India withdrew its peacekeeping force without securing a political solution to the ethnic conflict. The LTTE also saw Gandhi as a symbol of the Indian establishment and aimed to send a message to the international community about their determination to achieve Tamil Eelam.

4. What were the consequences of the assassination?

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi led to an escalation of the Sri Lankan civil war, strained relations between India and Sri Lanka, and international condemnation. The LTTE faced increased pressure and isolation due to its violent tactics.

5. How did the Sri Lankan civil war end?

The Sri Lankan civil war ended in 2009 after a protracted and bloody conflict. The Sri Lankan government defeated the LTTE militarily, leading to the death of its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran. The war resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people.