“Political Hostility Is the Reason for the Blame Directed at Us”: C. V. K. Sivagnanam

29-Sep-2026

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C. V. K. Sivagnanam, Acting Leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, has stated that his party and himself are being blamed for the removal of the statue of Thileepan due to political hostility. He also stressed that if the government had no involvement in the removal of the statue, it should be reinstalled at the same location.

The statue of Thileepan at the Thileepan memorial site in Nallur was removed by the police on 28 September 2026. Selvarasa Gajendran, Secretary of the Tamil National People’s Front, had alleged that the Tamil Arasu Kachchi and its leadership were responsible for the removal of the statue.

In this connection, a press conference was held yesterday at which the Acting Leader of the Tamil Arasu Kachchi responded to the allegations.

He stated:

“An unfounded allegation has been made that I and the Tamil Arasu Kachchi are opposed to the erection of the statue, that we supported the action taken by the police, and that the police took action based on our request.

“I wish to clarify the matter raised by the Tamil National People’s Front that we were opposed to the erection of the statue.

“It is an outright falsehood to claim that the statue was removed at my request or at my instigation. It is an expression of political hostility.

“In matters relating to commemorations, the Tamil National People’s Front behaves as though it alone can do everything and as though commemorations have been entrusted exclusively to them. They declare themselves to be everything and establish commemorative committees and conduct commemorations without the participation of political parties such as the Tamil Arasu Kachchi, which can be described as a Tamil national party, as well as PLOTE, EPRLF and TELO.

“Acting as though their party has a monopoly and discrediting others is an expression of political hostility. The people must understand this.

“It is not a civilised thing for anyone to engage in politics by using the commemoration of martyr Thileepan. I wish to record my concern that this is taking place. I do not wish to say anything further.

“They say that the statue was removed only because I or our party told the police to do so. Are we really that powerful? Therefore, the people must understand their political hostility,” he said.