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Katchatheevu Island: The controversy surrounding the handover of Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka has intensified following a recent RTI (Right To Information) response, which stated that the Congress government led by former prime minister Indira Gandhi had transferred ownership of the island to Sri Lanka in 1974. 

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai initiated the inquiry through an RTI application and the subsequent revelation has caused political turmoil. The issue gained further prominence when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed it in a tweet on Sunday.

PM Modi expressed shock at the new facts, highlighting how the Congress party had allegedly abandoned Katchatheevu. ''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! Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting,'' PM Modi wrote on X.

Katchatheevu Island Location 

Katchatheevu Island is located in the Indian Ocean, off the southern tip of India and spans 285 acres. The island lies between Rameshwaram (India) and Sri Lanka. Historically, in the 17th century, the island was ruled by King Ramananda of Madurai. During British colonial times, Katchatheevu became part of the Madras Presidency and played a crucial role in fisheries.

Both India and Sri Lanka asserted their claims to the island for fishing rights. Post-independence, a series of four agreements between 1974 and 1976 addressed maritime boundaries. As per these agreements, Indian fishermen were permitted to rest and dry their nets on Katchatheevu Island, which was eventually handed over to Sri Lanka.

Why was Katchatheevu Island handed over to Sri Lanka?

An agreement was signed in 1974 between then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the President of Sri Lanka, Srimavo Bandaranaike. The focal point of this agreement was Katchatheevu Island, a small landmass in the Palk Strait.

Under the terms of the agreement, Indira Gandhi ceded Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. The negotiations took place on June 26 in Colombo and June 28 in Delhi. Following these discussions, the island was formally handed over to Sri Lanka, although with some specific conditions.

The primary condition stipulated that Indian fishermen could continue using the island for drying their nets and resting. However, there were restrictions: Indian visitors would need a visa to access the church situated on the island and fishing by Indian fishermen in its waters was prohibited.

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Tamil Nadu's Stand On Katchatheevu Island

Tamil Nadu, the closest Indian state to Katchatheevu, expressed opposition to the Centre’s decision. The then Chief Minister, Karunanidhi, led the protest and in the year 1991, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution demanding the island’s return.

In 2008, then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalitha, filed a petition in the Supreme Court. The petition sought to declare the Katchatheevu Island agreement as unconstitutional, arguing that gifting the island to Sri Lanka was legally questionable.

Over the years, Katchatheevu Island remained a point of political contention. In 2011, during Jayalalitha’s second term as Chief Minister, the Tamil Nadu Assembly once again passed a resolution regarding the island. 

Despite the passage of time, Katchatheevu Island continues to evoke debate and legal scrutiny, reflecting its complex historical significance.

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Current Status Of Katchatheevu Island

The Katchatheevu Island dispute resurfaced amidst the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. As in many parts of Tamil Nadu, fish populations have decreased significantly. Indian fishermen, desperate to secure their livelihoods, venture beyond the International Maritime Boundary Line to Katchatheevu Island in search of fish. However, this pursuit has led to frequent detentions by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The Katchatheevu Island issue has once again taken centre stage, coinciding with the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Modi and the Home Minister have both addressed this contentious topic via their official Twitter accounts.

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