Velupillai Prabhakaran: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:03, 25 February 2006

Revision as of 19:55, 26 February 2006

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== Cult of personality ==

Known by many Tamils as "Thambi" (English: "Little Brother"), Prabhakaran has allowed and promoted himself as the object of a [[cult of personality]] to be created about himself. The cult is built around several factors. First, he is considered as a historical emergence along the [[Cholas|“Great Chola Emperors”]]. He is often described as a marvel to be born after one thousand years. Thus, he was inserted into a powerful [[Metanarrative|grand narrative]] for the [[Tamil people|Tamils]].

Second, he is described as a strong and action oriented [[Personality|personality]] among the weak and “[[Babbling|babbling]]” [[Moderate|moderates]]. By his [[Violence|violent]] and rash actions Prabhakaran produced the impression that others were “just talk” and only he is capable of action. Also, he promoted himself as an exceptionally disciplined individual, and LTTE cadres were expected to follow strict [[Discipline|disciplinary]] and moral codes. However, he seldom broke the codes, and changes and exceptions were made to the codes after such incidents. For instance, the LTTE cadres were expected not to have sexual relations or marry during their service as cadres. But Prabhakaran had an affair and married [[Mathivathani Erambu]]. Overall, he is an action oriented and disciplined personality and that contributed to his [[mystique]]. He used these otherwise positive attributes of personal character to [[justify]] any [[violence]], [[murder]], and [[war]].