LTTE was all about discipline and self control. Alcohol and tobacco not only affect the health of the concerned person but also make the person lose self-control. Simultaneously, it is being said that many rules followed by early LTTE were inspired from Tamilism.
Image: Velvettithurai Sivan Temple built by Prabhakaran’s forefathers.
Prabhakaran was born into a religious Tamil family. His father as well as his mother were born into families which are known for building locally popular Temples.
Iyer, the first treasurer of LTTE (1976–1979) wrote in his book that after their first bank robbery Prabhakaran announced that a portion of the money will be donated for annathanam at the local temple. Iyer(who himself used to perform Pooja at temples) and few other LTTE members strongly protested against this decision. He said that left ideology has lots of effect on the way they think so they didn’t like Prabhakaran’s decision of donation for religious matters.
Having said that, many basic rules of LTTE seems inspired from Tamilism. LTTE banned the following things among its cadres.
- Disrespecting women (LTTE never sexually abused or raped any woman)
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Smoking
- Drug abuse
- Pre-Marital affairs
- Extra-marital affairs
- Disrespecting dead bodies, of fallen enemy soldiers(SLA and IPKF)
All or at least most of the above mentioned practices are still considered taboo among millions of Tamil families in South Asia.
As LTTE was a secular politico- military organization all important LTTE camps used to have a temple like structure where they place fallen LTTE cadres’ photos. Before going to missions LTTE cadres used to offer prayer there. This practice can also be attributed to Tamilism. Offering prayers or getting blessings from one’s departed(dead) family member(s) before starting any important work is still followed by many Tamil families.
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