In a resurgence of long-standing tensions, the Katchatheevu island dispute has rekindled political fervor as India revisits a decades-old agreement. The recent uproar stems from the 1974 accord, orchestrated by the Congress government led by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which relinquished sovereignty of the strategic island to Sri Lanka.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar launched a blistering attack on the Congress and the DMK, accusing them of negligence regarding the repercussions of ceding Katchatheevu. He highlighted the alarming number of Indian fishermen, totaling 6,184, and 1,175 fishing vessels detained by Sri Lanka in recent years, directly attributing this to the contentious agreement.
The dispute, which has simmered since the island’s transfer, has surged to the forefront of political discourse, particularly as India approaches the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading the charge, lambasted the DMK and Congress for their purported indifference to Tamil Nadu’s interests, intensifying the electoral landscape in the region.
The controversy gained momentum after revelations surfaced regarding the circumstances surrounding the 1974 agreement. Reports indicate that then-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, despite public opposition from the DMK, allegedly consented to the deal, further fueling accusations of political duplicity.
Katchatheevu islands dispute
The timing of these disclosures, strategically unveiled amidst PM Modi’s rally in Uttar Pradesh, underscores the BJP’s concerted effort to leverage the issue for electoral gain. PM Modi’s rhetoric, echoing Jaishankar’s condemnation, underscores a unified front against the perceived mishandling of India’s territorial integrity.
Critics, however, question the motives behind resurrecting a historical grievance, with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge dismissing the allegations as an attempt to divert attention from the incumbent government’s shortcomings. Senior DMK leader RS Bharathi echoed similar sentiments, labeling PM Modi’s assertions as baseless.
The Katchatheevu dispute, rooted in colonial legacies and exacerbated by geopolitical realignments, carries significant ramifications for Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities and India’s maritime security. As the political skirmish intensifies, the fate of this contested island remains entwined with the electoral fortunes of competing factions, casting a shadow over diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka.