'Will carry memories of Mullivaikkal': Vijay pays tribute to ex-LTTE chief Prabhakaran on his death anniversary
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay on Monday paid tribute to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) founder V. Prabhakaran on the occasion of his death anniversary, drawing attention to the annual Mullivaikkal remembrance observed by sections of Tamils worldwide.
In a post on X, Vijay referred to Mullivaikkal in Sri Lanka—the site of the final phase of the civil war in 2009 where Prabhakaran was killed by the Sri Lankan military.
He said, “We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts! We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamil kin living across the sea!”
முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் நினைவுகளை இதயத்தில் ஏந்துவோம்! கடல் கடந்து வாழும் நம் தமிழ்ச் சொந்தங்களின் உரிமைகளுக்காக எப்போதும் துணை நிற்போம்!
— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) May 18, 2026
The LTTE, which was led by Prabhakaran, is banned in India due to its involvement in the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Prabhakaran was named as the main accused in the case.
Mullivaikkal remembrance
May 18 is observed by global Tamil diaspora groups and sections of Tamils in India as Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, also referred to as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.
The day marks the end of the nearly three-decade-long Sri Lankan civil war, particularly the final offensive in Mullivaikkal, during which tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were reportedly killed, injured, or went missing.
Political context
While mainstream political parties in Tamil Nadu have generally avoided openly endorsing or praising Prabhakaran due to the LTTE’s banned status in India, Vijay’s statement stands out as a direct reference to the former militant leader and the Eelam Tamil cause.
In a speech in Nagapattinam in September 2025, Vijay had also highlighted the issue, stating that “Eelam Tamils… are suffering after losing a leader who showed them motherly affection,” and called for continued support for their rights.
The Sri Lankan Tamil issue, once a significant political theme in Tamil Nadu, has seen reduced prominence in recent state elections, though it continues to remain emotionally and politically sensitive among various groups.
Vijay’s remarks are expected to spark discussion given the historical and political sensitivities surrounding the LTTE and its legacy in India.
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