Vaiko, PMK, Left appeal against self-immolation bids

“I have no hope that Saravana Suresh will survive since most parts of his body had been burnt,” he said in a statement here. He said though Saravana Suresh, son of his brother-in-law was not an MDMK member he was actively involved in party work. “He was heartbroken after watching in television my speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” 

Saravana Suresh committed self-immolation and had been admitted to Madurai Apollo Hospitals. 

Parties including the PMK and Left joined Vaiko’s appeal to youth not to commit self-immolation and expressed anguish over the self-immolation of Saravana Suresh. Expressing shock, CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan said no one should commit suicide when there were so many ways to express one’s opinion. 

The only solution for the Cauvery dispute is the joint struggle of the people and no one should give room for passions and work for the success of the protests, he said. 

PMK founder S Ramadoss conveyed his shock and anguish over the self-immolation of Saravana Suresh and wished that he would recover from his wounds soon. “There is no doubt that Cauvery is an emotional issue and a problem concerning people’s livelihood. Though, protesting passionately for the cause can be appreciated, acts like self-immolation will not benefit anyone.”

He said three people had died for the Cauvery and neutrino issues so far by committing self-immolation and Tamils should not indulge in such acts anymore, the PMK leader said.