It was the day the Sri Lankan army blew the top of Prabhakaran’s head off.
Mum was not so happy. I too, felt bad for the fallen leader the same way I felt sorry when I saw the videos of Saddam Hussain’s last moments. I thought it was the same with Mum.
“So, what about the Tamils in Sri Lanka now? Would their lives be any better now under the Sinhala Government?” She asked.
“Why should we care? Don’t we have enough on our platter?” I replied, rolling my eyes. I knew where it was leading.
“Arre, how can you say that? Don’t you know how Tamils are discriminated against by the Sinhala Government?” She asked incredulously.
“They are not Indians, why should we care?” I replied, irritated.
“If we don’t, who will?” She asked, it was a line straight out of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons. “That Rajapakse (Sri Lankan President) is worse than Hitler!”
I think it was poor analogy, but then Mum, being my Mum, has her own set of theatrical ways of showing her concern. It was her way of saying that she hated Rajapakse as much as she hated Hitler.
“Why should we care? Just because they speak our language doesn’t mean we should feel their pain too!” I persisted.
“Why do you think I say this because they are Tamils? Isn’t there something known as Humanity?” Mum demanded indignantly.
“Oh! Humanity, was it? Where was your Humanity when our Tiger Cub was bellowing his lungs out against fellow Indians? Don’t they deserve more of our concern?”
“Do you feel the same for the Humanitarian crisis in Chechnya and Somalia? Or Sierra Leone for that matter?” I asked, mockingly.
“Alas, Son! I am not as well read as you. I don’t even know what ails these countries.” She replied sarcastically. “Though, I have never been so condescending when you spoke at length about the horror of the Taliban or when you felt sad for Pakistan. They’re not Indians as well.”
“That, was for Humanity.I felt sad for our neighbours and fellow humans.” I replied airily.
“Well, So did I.” It was her turn to roll her eyes..!
