Thenmozhi Rajaratnam

Kalaivani Rajaratnam (26 July 1968 – 21 May 1991) was a Sri Lankan militant associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Born in Kaithady Nunavil in the Jaffna Peninsula, she is notably recognized for her role as a suicide bomber in the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. She is also known by her aliases Dhanu, Thenmozhi, Gayatri, Anbu and as Captain Aquino in LTTE circles. Rajaratnam's involvement in this high-profile act of violence marked her as a significant and controversial figure in the Tamil separatist movement and South Asian political history.

Early life Kalaivani Rajaratnam, also 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 the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka. Her family originated from Kupukullai, a small village in Jaffna. She spent her early education years in Vavuniya and Batticaloa and temporarily resided in Urumpirai. Kalaivani was the daughter of a Tamil teacher named A. Rajaratnam and his second wife. He was a significant influence on the Tamil militant movement and was considered a mentor to Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). A.Rajaratnam developed asthma in 1970 and later died from it in late 1975, when Anuja was only seven years old. His role in shaping Prabhakaran's thinking was crucial during the early stages of the Tamil separatist movement.

Following an ankle injury, Kalaivani became a member of the Black Tigers (suicide bombers). Her nickname in the squad was "Captain Akino," and she often served as a flag bearer during LTTE marches. Kalaivani's involvement with the LTTE would later culminate in her role in the assassination of Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi

On 21 May 1991, Rajaratnam assassinated Rajiv Gandhi at his rally in Sriperumbudur. The assassination was part of the LTTE's campaign against Indian involvement in Sri Lanka's civil conflict. She often spoke in English as not to set off suspicion with her Sri Lankan Tamil accent.

Kalaivani wore a green and orange salwar kameez to the rally, under the alias Dhanu, and claimed to be from Kanchipuram. Disguised as a civilian, she approached Gandhi during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. She carried an explosive device hidden under her clothing. After placing the garland and bending over to touch his feet, she detonated the bomb, killing herself and Gandhi, along with several others present at the rally. The assassination was a pivotal event in the Sri Lankan Civil War and significantly impacted Indian–Sri Lankan relations.

Kalaivani Rajaratnam became a controversial figure in South Asian history for her role in the 1991 assassination of Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. A member of the LTTE, her act as a suicide bomber marked her as a symbol of the Tamil separatist struggle, while also highlighting the devastating impact of political violence in the region. Her legacy remains deeply divisive, seen by some as martyrdom for a cause, and by others as a tragic chapter of extremism.

In the aftermath of the attack, the LTTE denied any involvement in the attack despite all evidence suggesting so. Kalaivani's death certificate was changed to state that she allegedly died in a battle with the Sri Lankan Army in Weli Oya on 8 September 1991. The LTTE also took many measures to conceal the assassin's identity. After the assassination, Prabhakaran awarded her father with a gold medal during a public celebration for Kalaivani's achievement.

Kalaivani's mother and siblings, including her half brother Sivavarman and her sisters, Anuja and, Vasugi, survived her. However, Anuja later died in a clash with the Sri Lankan Army, while Sivavarman and Vasugi relocated to Canada. In the tape, one of the cadres bore a resemblance to Kalaivani, and the connection was later verified through skull superimposition analysis.