The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to reclaim Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka and review the 1974 Indo-Sri Lanka agreement. Chief Minister MK Stalin introduced the resolution, emphasizing that retrieving the uninhabited island is crucial for protecting Tamil Nadu fishermen’s traditional fishing rights and addressing ongoing issues with the Sri Lankan Navy. While the opposition AIADMK and BJP criticized the ruling DMK for allegedly surrendering the island in the past, they supported the resolution’s demand, intensifying the political debate surrounding the issue.
MK Stalin pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should address the continued harassment of Indian fishermen during his visit to Sri Lanka from April 3-6. The resolution highlighted that the only permanent solution to safeguard Tamil Nadu fishermen’s rights and alleviate their hardships is the retrieval of Katchatheevu. It also urged the Union government to use diplomatic channels to secure the release of all Indian fishermen currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka, along with their boats. According to official records, 530 fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2024 alone, facing lengthy prison sentences or heavy fines for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary.
The Chief Minister criticized the Sri Lankan government’s treatment of Tamil Nadu fishermen, describing their actions as cruel and detrimental to their livelihood. He also accused the BJP-led central government of failing to resolve the issue despite being in power for three consecutive terms. He reminded the assembly of Modi’s 2014 election promise that no fisherman would be harmed under his governance, stressing that the reality remains far from that assurance.
AIADMK leader and opposition chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) dismissed the resolution as another political stunt by the DMK to appeal to the fishermen community ahead of the upcoming elections. He questioned why the ruling party had not introduced the resolution in the past four years. BJP state president K Annamalai went a step further, accusing MK Stalin’s father and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of aiding the Congress government in ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974. He criticized the DMK for repeatedly bringing up the issue for electoral gains without taking concrete action.
MK Stalin defended his party’s stance, recalling that Karunanidhi had vehemently opposed the 1974 agreement, convening an all-party meeting to condemn the decision and urging the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to reconsider it. He also pointed out that resolutions seeking to reclaim Katchatheevu were passed in the assembly under AIADMK rule in 1991 and 2013. He expressed disappointment that despite repeated demands, the BJP-led government had failed to find a solution.
Katchatheevu issue, MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Modi on two other matters. He requested a meeting with MPs from multiple parties to discuss concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise based on population, emphasizing the need for a fair approach. He also urged Modi to withdraw the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, citing its potential adverse impact on the Muslim minority. The Tamil Nadu assembly had passed a resolution demanding the bill’s withdrawal, with only the BJP opposing it.
As Tamil Nadu’s political landscape heats up ahead of elections, the debate over Katchatheevu continues to be a significant flashpoint, with both the ruling and opposition parties using the issue to strengthen their narratives.
