COLOMBO, March 25: In a blatant attempt to draw the attention of the BJP-led government in New Delhi, the LTTE lost no time in projecting its separatist war against the Sri Lankan government as a struggle of Hindus against Buddhists.A press release from the LTTE's London headquarters on Wednesday quoted from an appeal by an association of Hindu priests to UNESCO and the new Indian Government to intervene in Sri Lanka to stop "the denigration" of Hinduism."Since the Sinhala Buddhist Government in Sri Lanka took control of the island after Britain left, said the statement, it has systematically destroyed Hinduism and its culture in the island," the LTTE release stated. The North-East Hindu Priests' Association, a previously unheard of organisation, has alleged that the Sri Lankan Government is bombing Hindu temples, arresting Hindu priests and using temples as army living quarters and checkpoints.The priests' statement was sent to UNESCO, the BJP, Shiv Sena, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and to theShankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakotti in Tamil Nadu. Analysts predicted that in the event of a BJP or BJP-led government in New Delhi, the LTTE will try to find friends for its cause in the new establishment by highlighting that a majority of the Tamils are Hindus.The priests' association has charged the Sri Lankan government with "marginalising" Hinduism, "destroying or partially damaging over 1,800 temples", plundering idols and harassing Hindu priests at army checkpoints. Even if the expression of support is to the Tamils and not specifically to LTTE, the Tigers will view it as a positive development. Analysts believe this is why LTTE is giving its war a saffron tinge.
