Rajinikanth, other stars join strike for Sri Lankan Tamils

Superstar Rajinikanth joined other members of the Tamil Nadu film fraternity on a hunger strike in Chennai, to show solidarity with Lankan Tamils.

The film stars are adding their voice to protests that have been on in the state for days now, with all major political parties and students demanding that the Centre take a strong stand against Sri Lanka for its alleged war crimes in the final months of the civil war that ended when defence forces crushed the separatist Tamil Tigers in May 2009.

Rajinikanth was seated in the front row along with actor and politician R Sarathkumar.

R Sarathkumar is the president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association. The strike has been organised by the association and they are endorsing the demands made in a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly last week. These include the demand for economic sanctions against Sri Lanka for what they allege is the "genocide" of ethnic Tamils in that country, and for the rehabilitation of Lankan Tamils.

Actor Suriya also walked in to show his support to the Lankan Tamils.

Actor Ajith Kumar was among the first ones to arrive at the venue.

Actor Prakash Raj spoke to media about the problems faced by the Lankan Tamils.

Almost 3000 members of the Tamil Nadu film fraternity were present at the venue.