Congress blunder: Surrendering Katchatheevu island

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently condemned the Congress party for negligently relinquishing control of Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. PM Modi's statements, shared via social media, were fueled by a media report highlighting the island's transfer.

“Eye opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds — we can’t ever trust Congress!” he posted on X, emphasizing the enduring impact of Congress's actions over decades.

The Prime Minister's statement follows documents obtained by BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai, suggesting that the Congress didn't prioritize the small, uninhabited island.

Furthermore, PM Modi criticized the Congress party's historical approach, accusing it of compromising India's unity, integrity, and interests for over 75 years.

Katchatheevu is a tiny, uninhabited island spanning 285 acres in the Palk Strait, nestled between India and Sri Lanka. It measures just 1.6 kilometers in length and slightly over 300 meters wide at its widest point. It is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.

Katchatheevu has been a contentious issue since its transfer in 1974. Initially part of British India's Madras Presidency, the island's ownership transitioned to Sri Lanka following an agreement between Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Srimavo Bandaranaike.

In 1974, during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, efforts were made to settle the maritime border dispute between India and Sri Lanka for good. This resulted in the 'Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement', where Katchatheevu was handed over to Sri Lanka. Back then, it was believed that the island held little strategic importance, and relinquishing India's claim to it would strengthen ties with its southern neighbor.

Under this agreement, Indian fishermen were still permitted to access Katchatheevu as they had done previously. However, the issue of fishing rights remained unresolved. Sri Lanka interpreted Indian fishermen's access to the island for limited purposes, such as resting, drying nets, and visiting the Catholic shrine, without requiring a visa.

Furthermore, in 1976, amidst the period of Emergency in India, another agreement was reached that prohibited both countries from fishing in each other's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Since Katchatheevu lies on the edge of the EEZs of both nations, there remained uncertainty regarding fishing rights in the area.

In 2009, when the conflict with the LTTE came to an end, it marked a significant shift. Colombo increased its maritime defenses and turned its attention to Indian fishermen. These fishermen, facing a decline in marine resources on the Indian side, had long been entering Sri Lankan waters, but now began facing consequences for their actions.

Today, the Sri Lankan navy regularly arrests Indian fishermen, with numerous allegations of custodial torture and deaths. Katchatheevu was given away to Sri Lanka without consulting the Tamil Nadu state assembly. It sparked vehement protests against Indira Gandhi's decision. Critics cited the historical control of the Ramnad zamindari over the island and the traditional fishing rights of Indian Tamil fishermen.

In 2008, the late J Jayalalitha filed a petition in court arguing that Katchatheevu could not be ceded to another country without a constitutional amendment. The petition contended that the 1974 agreement had adversely affected the traditional fishing rights and livelihoods of Indian fishermen.

Upon assuming office as chief minister in 2011, Jayalalitha moved a resolution in the State Assembly. In 2012, she approached the Supreme Court, urging expedited action on her petition in light of the increasing arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka.

Last year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin wrote to PM Modi ahead of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to India, urging discussions on key issues, including the matter of Katchatheevu.

As former Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi told the Supreme Court in 2014: "Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka by an agreement in 1974... How can it be reclaimed today? If you want Katchatheevu back, you will have to go to war to retrieve it.