Background
His real name was Rasaiah Parthipan and was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. His father Rasaiah was a school teacher. His mother died during his childhood and he was brought up by his single father and his aunt.
His real name was Rasaiah Parthipan and was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. His father Rasaiah was a school teacher. His mother died during his childhood and he was brought up by his single father and his aunt.
Rasaiah Parthipan joined the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 1983 prior to Black July pogrom. He was given the name Thileepan. He became the political wing leader of the Jaffna peninsula.
Reasons for fast
On the 15th of September 1987 at 9.30 a.m at the Nallur Murugan Temple, Thileepan began his fast.
His main objective was to bring awareness and action to a list of public demands made by himself and the Tamil Tigers, at a time when the relationship between the and the IPKF administration was deteriorating. The publicly stated goals of his fast were
All Tamils detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Acting should be released.
The colonisation of Sinhalese in Tamil areas under the guise of rehabilitation should be stopped. All such rehabilitation should be stopped until an interim government is formed.
The Sri Lankan government should stop opening new Police stations and camps in the Northeastern province.
The Sri Lankan Army and Police should withdraw from schools in Tamil villages and the weapons given by the Sri Lankan government to "homeguards" should be withdrawn under the supervision of the Indian army. Thileepan was firm on his demands and was unrelenting unless Tamil demands were meet, he would not end his fast. IPKF Commander Harkirat Singh who was based in Jaffna wanted J North Dixit to visit and talk to Thileepan but his request was turned down.Thileepan died on the 26th of September 1987.
There was widespread grief in Tamil areas.
Thousands of people from the North and East and other parts flooded Jaffna as news of his death spread. His death created an anti-Indian mood in Jaffna that was pro-India till then
Resumption of hostilities
Several days later the began hostilities against the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The death of Thileepan was hence seen as a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan History and Sri Lankan - Indian relations for years to come.
He was a determined person who fasted unto death.
