Chennai, Nov 5 (NationPress) The founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), S. Ramadoss, has called on the Union government to provide voting rights and comprehensive citizenship privileges to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who have resided in Tamil Nadu for many years, with many having been born and brought up in India.

In his statement, Ramadoss highlighted that after the civil war erupted in Sri Lanka in 1983, over 100,000 Sri Lankan Tamils fled to Tamil Nadu, losing their homes and livelihoods.

“Despite the war ending in 2009, many continued to find asylum here. Currently, around 100,000 Eelam Tamils live in India, scattered across 116 refugee camps in Tamil Nadu,” he noted.

He emphasized that even after spending decades in India, these refugees still do not have the ability to live as free citizens.

“The younger generation, who are born and educated here, are deprived of fundamental rights. Numerous individuals have completed their education, yet laws restrict them from applying for government jobs,” Ramadoss pointed out.

He remarked that most of them survive by working as daily laborers for meager wages and are excluded from various welfare benefits available to Indian citizens.

“While refugees from Nepal and Bhutan are permitted to apply for government jobs, our own Tamil brethren from Eelam face such denials,” he stated.

Ramadoss also brought attention to the overcrowded conditions in the refugee camps, where families are forced to reside in the same small plots designated to them decades ago.

“As families grow, how can they maintain dignity in such cramped conditions?” he questioned.

He also noted that while countries like Canada and Australia have granted citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils, India has not followed suit as it has not ratified the United Nations Refugee Convention.

“Therefore, the UN is unable to provide support to refugees here,” he said.

Calling for urgent action, Ramadoss stated, “The ongoing intensive voter registration drive in Tamil Nadu should be leveraged as an opportunity to provide voting rights to Eelam Tamils residing in the state. Only when they are granted voting rights will elected representatives strive for their welfare. The Centre must ensure these Tamils can live freely with dignity as rightful citizens of India.”