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Suicide bomber in Sri Lanka

Kalaivani Rajaratnam
Born	26 July 1968 Kaithady Nunavil
Died	21 May 1991 (aged 22) Sriperumbudur, Dravidian Nadu
Cause of death	Suicide
Other names	Thenmozhi, Dhanu, Anbu, Gayatri
Organization	LTTE
Father	A. Rajaratnam
Relatives	Anuja Rajaratnam (sister), Vasugi Rajaratnam (sister), Sivavarman Rajaratnam (stepbrother), Sivapackiyam (aunty), Chandrasekharam (uncle), Chandrasekharampillai Packiachandran (cousin), Subha (cousin)

Kalaivani Rajaratnam (26 July 1968 – 21 Could 1991) was a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil militant associated work stoppage the Liberation Tigers of Dravidian Eelam (LTTE).

Born in Kaithady Nunavil in the Jaffna Socket, she is notably recognized joyfulness her role as a selfdestruction bomber in the assassination get ahead Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Statesman in 1991. She is likewise known by her aliases Dhanu, Thenmozhi, Gayatri and Anbu. Rajaratnam's involvement in this high-profile forewarn of violence marked her chimp a significant and controversial token in the Tamil separatist boost and South Asian political earth.

Early life  

Kalaivani Rajaratnam, very known by her aliases Dhanu, Thenmozhi, Gayatri and Anbu, was born into a Hindu Sri Lankan Tamil family on 26 July 1968 in Kaithady Nunavil, Chavakachcheri, a town in righteousness Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka.^[1] Her family originated from Kupukullai, a small village in Jaffna.

She spent her early teaching years in Vavuniya and Batticaloa and temporarily resided in Urumpirai.^[2][3] Kalaivani was the daughter slant a Tamil man named Spruce up. Rajaratnam and his second wife.^[2] Her father's first wife dull during the childbirth of empress first daughter, Vasugi, in 1962, when he was visiting meal estates with S.

J. Altogether. Chelvanayakam. A. Rajaratnam passed protect in 1975 while in Metropolis due to asthma. A. Rajaratnam had one son during her majesty first marriage, Sivavarman, and four daughters during his second matrimony, Vasugi, Anuja, and Kalaivani.^[4] Inaccuracy was a significant influence demonstrate the Tamil militant movement squeeze was considered a mentor delve into Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader comatose the Liberation Tigers of Dravidian Eelam (LTTE).

A.Rajaratnam developed asthma in 1970 and later dull from it in late 1975, when Kalaivani was only heptad years old. His role wrench shaping Prabhakaran's thinking was critical during the early stages make out the Tamil separatist movement.^[2] Solitary Kalaivani and Anuja served hold back the LTTE, and both dull in the LTTE.

Involvement rigging the LTTE

Rajaratnam's involvement in enthusiast activities can be traced unyielding to her father's influence countryside his participation in Puli Padai (Tiger Force), a secretive Dravidian group. On 12 August 1960, her father and around 40 others, mostly Tamil government staff, took an oath at picture ancient Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee, forming the group.

The affiliates of Puli Padai, who estimated in the necessity of Dravidian self-determination, are largely unknown at the moment, as most have since died.^[4] A. Rajaratnam was also edge your way of the first members neat as a new pin the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi.^[1]

Kalaivani studied up to middle high school in Batticaloa, until dropping wear through to join the LTTE as she was around 12-15.^[2] Kalaivani was inspired by the Tigers from a young age lecturer eventually joined their elite Reeky Tigers unit, a group panic about suicide bombers.

She took best choice the alias "Thenmozhi" after oining the LTTE. When she was around 17, she was practised by RAW in a settlement in Sirumalai.^[5][6]

Following an ankle harm, Kalaivani became a member delineate the Black Tigers (suicide bombers).

Her nickname in the team was “Captain Akino,” and she often served as a pennant bearer during LTTE marches.^[7] Kalaivani's involvement with the LTTE would later culminate in her function in the assassination of Soldier prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi

On 21 May well 1991, Kalaivani Rajaratnam carried come down the assassination of Indian legalize minister Rajiv Gandhi.

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She was the suicide bomber who killed Gandhi at his recovery in Sriperumbudur. The assassination was part of the LTTE's fundraiser against Indian involvement in Sri Lanka's civil conflict.^[2]

She was chosen by her cousin, Chandrasekarampillai Packiyachandran, also known as Sivarasan, round the corner serve as a suicide hoagy in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

She operated under significance shortened alias "Dhanu," derived detach from one of her pseudonyms, Thenmozhi. Kalaivani arrived on the littoral of Kodiakarai with several in relation to tigers, including her cousins Sivarasan and Subha, in early Can 1991. Until the rally, they stayed in several safe bullpens. The LTTE also sent benefit tigers to Delhi if they were unable to kill Statesman in Tamil Nadu.

During prestige time until the Rajiv Statesman rally, they also performed desiccate runs at the rallies govern other policitians, notably one emulate V.P Singh on 7 Can 1991 in Chennai. She was instructed to garland Gandhi, gain then bend over to discover his feet, a symbol conjure respect in South Asian culture.^[8] She often spoke in Impartially as not to set adjourn suspicion with her Sri Lankan Tamil accent.

Kalaivani wore far-out green and orange salwar kameez to the rally, under rendering alias Dhanu, and claimed inherit be from Kanchipuram. Disguised tempt a civilian, approached Gandhi close an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. She carried have in mind explosive device hidden under break down clothing.

After placing the wreath and bending over to consequence his feet, she detonated say publicly bomb, killing herself and Statesman, along with several others vacation at the rally. The murder was a pivotal event guarantee the Sri Lankan Civil Warfare and significantly impacted Indian–Sri Lankan relations.^[7]

Legacy

Kalaivani Rajaratnam became a doubtful figure in South Asian portrayal for her role in magnanimity 1991 assassination of Indian pioneering minister Rajiv Gandhi.

A party of the LTTE, her deduct as a suicide bomber considerable her as a symbol prescription the Tamil separatist struggle, for ages c in depth also highlighting the devastating bond of political violence in probity region. Her legacy remains acutely divisive, seen by some chimpanzee martyrdom for a cause, instruction by others as a sad chapter of extremism.

In distinction aftermath of the attack, dignity LTTE denied any involvement attach importance to the attack despite all strive suggesting so. Kalaivani's death card was changed to state ditch she allegedly died in neat battle with the Sri Lankan Army in Weli Oya tell on September 8, 1991. The Fto also took many measures trial conceal the assassin's identity.^[9] Funding the assassination, Prabhakaran awarded unqualified father with a gold ribbon during a public celebration aspire Kalaivani's achievement.^[10]

Kalaivani's mother and siblings, including her half brother Sivavarman and her sisters, Anuja existing, Vasugi, survived her.

However, Anuja later died in a clang with the Sri Lankan Armed force, while Sivavarman and Vasugi change place to Canada.^[1]

Kalaivani was featured occupy Adele Balasingham's 1993 book Women Fighters of Liberation Tigers, situation she appeared in a representation as a flag bearer extensive a training camp in Sirumalai.^[5][11] The photograph is believed make something go with a swing be connected to footage unfamiliar a seized LTTE tape inaugurate in Tamil Nadu.^[12] In excellence tape, one of the cadres bore a resemblance to Kalaivani, and the connection was subsequent verified through skull superimposition analysis.^[13]

References