The politics of erasing the memory = The politics of erasing the Tamil Tigers from history = The politics of denying justice.

What is the definition of “politics of erasing the memory”?

Simply put, the removal of truth that the Tamil Tigers ruled a de facto state called “Tamil Eezham” from the collective memory of the Tamils can be a definition of “politics of erasing the memory”.

The integral part of this politics is the politics of erasing the Tamil Tigers from history. When they say “removing the Tigers from history”, they actually imply removing Tamil nationalism and the nationalistic thoughts in general, and not the Tamil Tiger movement per se.

The quest for a homeland, the emotions of nationalism, the right to self-determination, and all these are virtues that are tagged to identity, language, culture, heritage, and our homeland. These were virtues that were often repeated in the Tamil national struggle. The backdrop of Mullivaikkal had all the essentials of destroying this identity.

Denying justice to the Tamils is now a seemingly unquestionable overt act. The politics of denying the existence of the Tamil Tigers and their principles are rooted in the politics of erasing this collective memory. The near effortless way in which this politics is practiced is what we define as “the politics of erasing Tamil Tigers from history”.

This is the simple reason behind our efforts on why we are against this “politics of erasing Tamil Tigers from history”.

The purpose behind using the term “Tigers” in the Tamil polity is not to bring back any kind of armed struggles to the island. (But we cannot deny the fact that it may play an insignificant and unforeseen role in the distant future if the status quo continues). The real purpose is to tell the truth loudly that history cannot be denied, and at the same time it is an effort in part to keep our struggle intact without getting the spirit of our nation diluted.

This is the very reason why the axis of Western and regional polity that destroyed the Tamil Tigers still keeps the Tigers in the list of terrorist organizations.

“Pirabaharaniyam” is not a philosophy that would delve into and talk in length about Tigers, but rather a philosophy that would serve as an instrument to get us justice.

It would talk in length on how a nation-state functioned for thirty long years. It would be the collective conscience of a nation.

“Pirabaharaniyam” will talk eloquently and loudly on the subject. It will unleash the principles of getting liberated and walking free as a nation.

– Bharani Krishnarajani | 19.11.2025