Self-immolation of Muthukumar
Encyclopedia
The Self-immolation
of K. Muthukumar happened on January 29, 2009 in Chennai
, Tamil Nadu
, India. He burnt himself against the genocide of minority Sri Lankan Tamils in Sri Lanka
as part of the 2009 Tamil diaspora protests
in India. Before his death, he distributed a four page statement in the Tamil language
.
Muthukumar was born in the southern district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. He was employed as a journalist before his death. His funeral attracted thousands of mourners including Indian politicians such as Vaiko, Thol Thirumavalavan and S. Ramadoss
amongst others. The state government offered monetary compensation for the family, which was rejected. His death led to a number of other attempts of self immolation in Tamil Nadu during the protesting. His death also led to further protests by students across Tamil Nadu.
Self-immolation
Self-immolation refers to setting oneself on fire, often as a form of protest or for the purposes of martyrdom or suicide. It has centuries-long traditions in some cultures, while in modern times it has become a type of radical political protest...
of K. Muthukumar happened on January 29, 2009 in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India. He burnt himself against the genocide of minority Sri Lankan Tamils in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
as part of the 2009 Tamil diaspora protests
2009 Tamil diaspora protests
The 2009 Tamil diaspora protests refers to a series of protests and demonstrations which took place in several countries across the world, urging national and world leaders and organizations to take action on bringing a unanimous cease fire to the Sri Lankan Civil War, which had taken place for...
in India. Before his death, he distributed a four page statement in the Tamil language
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
.
Muthukumar was born in the southern district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. He was employed as a journalist before his death. His funeral attracted thousands of mourners including Indian politicians such as Vaiko, Thol Thirumavalavan and S. Ramadoss
S. Ramadoss
Dr. S. Ramadoss is the founder and president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi Indian political party. Dr Ramadass had earlier worked intensively with the Vanniyar Sangham ....
amongst others. The state government offered monetary compensation for the family, which was rejected. His death led to a number of other attempts of self immolation in Tamil Nadu during the protesting. His death also led to further protests by students across Tamil Nadu.