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PM Modi Reignites Katchatheevu Island Controversy, Slams Congress in Tamil Nadu

Kalyani Jha
31 Mar, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stirred up the Katchatheevu island controversy, taking a swipe at the Congress party over the contentious historical issue. The debate surrounding Katchatheevu, ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974 by former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has emerged as a focal point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi’s remarks came in response to a Times of India report obtained via an RTI application, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the handover of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. On the X platform, PM Modi shared, “Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu,” further criticizing the Congress for its historical approach to India’s territorial interests.

The document obtained through RTI, spearheaded by Tamil Nadu’s BJP chief K Annamalai, delves into the complexities of the Katchatheevu issue. It outlines India’s relinquishment of the island to Sri Lanka in 1974 under the Indira Gandhi government, sparking renewed scrutiny and debate over the decision’s impact on India’s unity and integrity.

The controversy surrounding Katchatheevu dates back to Sri Lanka’s assertion of ownership post-independence, prompting India’s then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to express a willingness to relinquish claims to the island. Despite India’s historical ties to Katchatheevu, including Zamindari Rights and the Raja of Ramnad’s jurisdiction, diplomatic negotiations and foreign secretary-level talks in the early 1970s culminated in the island’s transfer to Sri Lanka.

PM Modi’s remarks not only reignite historical grievances but also underscore the political significance of territorial issues in Tamil Nadu’s electoral discourse. The Katchatheevu controversy serves as a potent symbol of India’s territorial integrity and past diplomatic decisions, resonating deeply with Tamil Nadu’s electorate and shaping political narratives in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.