Voices from a lost homeland

Amidst the chaos created by the CAA and NRC, it remains critical to talk about this huge population of refugees that the CAA has left out – the Sri Lankan Tamils

Bhuvanesh Chandar

(This was originally written in January 2020, as a part of my ACJ curriculum, with the permission of the relevant authorities. Names have been changed to protect identities)

“We are living peacefully. We are in a very safe environment. Things weren’t always the same, but we’re content with the life we’re leading here.” Azhagan, 76, a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee and coordinator of Organisation for Eelam Refugees’ Rehabilitation (OfERR), said this with a smile. As he sits outside his house in the Mandapam camp in Rameshwaram, Azhagan’s grin, his smile, his downward slanting eyebrows and bright eyes – all tell a million stories hidden behind them. The communal clashes and the Civil War that later followed in Sri Lanka since 1983 have displaced more than a lakh of Sri Lankan Tamils, who have sought refuge in various refugee camps in India.

While talking about life before the war, and the reasons and incidents that led to the war, Azhagan said, “In a way, we, the Tamils, are also to be blamed for the war. There was no unity amongst us. If someone starts a party, then other people would also start four different parties. Sinhalese people were not like that. They were always united. Hence, even when we had many satyagrahis like Selvanayagam, Amirthalingam, G.G. Ponnambalam, we lost all our lands to Sinhalese encroachments. That was the first major issue — places like Ampara, Kandalama were all Tamil lands which were encroached by the Sinhalese. Secondly, getting proper education was a huge problem. We did not get good, standardized education. This bias against the Tamils gradually turned into a war. Even in government jobs, Sinhalese were allotted 65% of the jobs and Tamils were given 35%”

Azhagan further explained about the events during the Black July, when vehicles of Tamils were attacked and riots broke out in multiple places in the country: “It started when the rioters selectively targeted the Tamils who were living in Colombo. These Tamils were rich and had a lot of wealth and seizing their wealth was the first motive. Then using the voters’ list, selective attacks were undertaken and then LTTE responded and it went on.”

Azhagan first came to India in 1990, and worked as the President of the Adiyanoku camp in Dindugal. He returned to Sri Lanka in 1999. Talking about the lives of the refugees post-2006, when he came back to India again, he said, “Our lives depend solely on what we pursue here. If we earn well, maybe we can buy a vehicle or set up a shop. The government helps us a little. The OfFEER helps us a little using its funds. But ultimately, it also depends upon us.”

Even though most of the refugees are returning to their homeland, there is a fear amongst many others. “The recent East church bombings have created a fear in the minds of the Tamils because almost all the bombing sites were Tamil-majority areas. Moreover, there is an air of insecurity back in Sri Lanka. The government is trying to make it a Buddhist country. It is quite ironic that Buddha was someone who followed the footsteps of peace and nonviolence, but the people who claim to be Buddhists are waging wars and creating unrest. Further, this NRC and CAA has created more insecurity in the minds of some refugees. I personally believe that this nation will never throw any of us out and ask us to go back.”

Azhagan also explained about the impracticalities that exist in building a life in Sri Lanka after having lived in India for over two decades: “Many people came here 25-30 years ago. Their children never even saw how Sri Lanka looked like. When they go back to Sri Lanka, they’ll be aliens there also. Moreover, it’d be tough to let go of the life here. People here are able to get jobs and the government gives free rice grains and subsidies. To restart a life in Sri Lanka would be a challenge. Some people who went there have returned stating that it is better to live and die here than to lose their livelihoods in Sri Lanka. Some people who went there have built houses and are living well now. They keep sending me pictures of their new house with a garden, etc. It depends upon the opportunity they get there. If you’re going back you’d need land of your own and you’d need rich relatives who would lend a helping hand. Else even there you’d be living like a refugee.”

“I’m 76 now. I think I will spend the rest of my life here only. What else is there back there for people like me?” he said. Even though people like Azhagan are optimistic with their life in India, the fear and doubt regarding the consequences of implementation of NRC and CAA do linger over the Sri Lankan refugees, who have started to rebuild and redefine their lives after facing years of horror and unrest. In their hearts, however, there is no lack of hope.