MP: Rajapaksa to launch Buddhist university as Vaiko plans protest

Madhya Pradesh has tightened security across the state ahead of the visit by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who will be inaugurating a Buddist University in Sanchi. The MDMK of Tamil Nadu had announced a protest in the state against his visit. MDMK General Secretary Vaiko had called for a black flag demonstration against the Sri Lankan President for the alleged violation of rights of the ethnic Tamilians in the country during its war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Vaiko, who left Chennai for Sanchi on earlier this week, was, however, stopped from entering the state.

Speaking to reporters, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said, “This university (at Sanchi) will spread the message of peace. We appealed to Vaiko that this is not a political event. We are not concerned about anything else. We have appealed to him to not oppose such an event.”

Meanwhile, ahead of his visit to Sanchi, Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Sources said that the two leaders discussed several sticky issues between the two countries, that included Tamil rights and reconciliation and revocation of its travel advisory to its citizens visiting Tamil Nadu as Rajapksa expressed concern over growing attacks on them in the state.

This perhaps may be about the only cause for comfort for the ruling UPA government that has come under fire from its own allies like the DMK for rolling out the red carpet to the Sri Lankan President.

And the support, albeit indirect, comes from none other than a BJP-led government who has invited the Sri Lankan President.