May 17 Movement

May 17 Movement
Formation2009
PurposePolitical Movement
HeadquartersChennai, Tamil Nadu
FieldsTamil Eelam Struggle, Tamil Nationalism, Human Rights Protection, Rationalism, Communism, Environmentalism
Key people
Thirumurugan Gandhi, Praveen Kumar, Lena Kumar
Websitemay17iyakkam.com

The May 17 Movement is a Tamil civil rights movement which advocates for justice for the Tamil genocide in Tamil Eelam, as well as the rights of Tamils in Tamil Nadu and around the world.[1]

Overview

The May 17 Movement was formed in May 2009, founded by activist Thirumurugan Gandhi during the Sri Lankan civil war, where thousands of Tamils were killed. It is a Tamil nationalist movement based in Tamil Nadu which works towards a goal of ending the caste system. The movement intends to draw attention to the controversial Trade Facilitation Agreement policy of the World Trade Organization (WTO) accepted and signed by the government of India.[2][3]

The May 17 movement advocates for the liberation of Tamil Eelam, seeking a separate state for Sri Lankan Tamils. Since 2016, it has spoken to United Nations (UN) human rights sessions in Geneva in support of the nations without states, indigenous peoples, and communities which have faced war crimes. It represented the Tamil civil society in Permanent Peoples' Tribunal for Sri Lanka in Bremen, Germany in 2013.[4]

Every year, on the third Sunday of May, the May 17 Movement coordinates a candlelight vigil at Chennai Marina beach (Tamizhar Kadal) to observe Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, marking the massacre of Tamils by government forces at the end of the Sri Lankan civil war. People from across Tamil Nadu gather to mourn the Tamil genocide, call for the Liberation of Tamil Eezham, and demand a referendum for Eezham.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

References

  1. ^ "May 17 Movement coordinator Thirumurugan Gandhi released from Vellore prison". The Times of India. 2 October 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  2. ^ "India ratifies Trade Facilitation Agreement".
  3. ^ Bose, Subash Chandra (16 May 2025). "Sixteen years after Mullivaikkal: How Tamil Nadu keeps the fire for Tamil Eelam burning". The South First | News, Politics, Sports, Entertainment & Live Updates. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Pegasus shows Modi government is scared: Thirumurugan Gandhi". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  5. ^ Vannan, Gokul (27 June 2011). "Huge support for Eelam at Candle light vigil". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  6. ^ Ravikumar, N (18 May 2015). "Victims' Cries Haunts Refugees Even 6 Years After Lankan Tamils' Massacre". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Tamils Should Protest Against UN, Demand Referendum: May 17 Movement". salem-new. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  8. ^ "UN Ignored Plight of Lankan Tamils". New Indian Express. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  9. ^ Vannan, Gokul (16 May 2012). "Call to boycott Lankan products". New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  10. ^ "Tamils should protest against UN, demand referendum: May 17 Movement". Tamilnet. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  11. ^ "Massive rally on X-Mas day at Marina". CNN-IBN. 21 December 2011. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
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