Katchatheevu: How a tiny island became major flashpoint in Tamil Nadu politics

Both India and Sri Lanka had earlier claimed Katchatheevu to determine fishing boundaries.

Katchatheevu has emerged as a major flashpoint between the BJP and ruling DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections in which the saffron party is hoping to make inroads.

After an RTI report revealed that Congress government under Indira Gandhi gave away Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministers launched a scathing attack on the parties.

Hitting back, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned why the Prime Minister did not try to get the island back in the last decade of his regime. Kharge also said the “elections are the trigger” of this allegation and the BJP’s “desperation is palpable". PM Modi’s allegations were based on documents obtained through an RTI application by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai.

According to News18, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi, had expressed his “general acceptance” of the “suggested solution” by the Centre to hand over Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. However, Karunanidhi said he won’t take a public stand in favour of it due to political reasons. This was after the then foreign secretary Kewal Singh met the chief minister on June 19, 1974, in Madras (now Chennai).

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However, Katchatheevu, which is situated in the heart of the Palk Strait, has long been a focal point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape during poll seasons.

What is the controversy?

Katchatheevu is situated around 33km from the Indian coast near Rameswaram. It has been a disputed territory between India and Sri Lanka since the British period. The British, citing the traditional claims of the Ramnad zamindari of Ramanathapuram, had attached the island to the Madras Presidency. But in 1921, both India and Sri Lanka claimed Katchatheevu to determine fishing boundaries. But a dispute broke out again after Independence over fishing rights around the island.

With the aim of settling the discord, the then government headed by Indira Gandhi had agreed to cede it to the island nation under the 1974 “Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement”. But over the last few decades, the island became a bone of contention again. The fishermen started complaining that the Sri Lankan Navy arrested them on the charge of poaching and impounded their vessels for violating the International Maritime Boundary Line.

The DMK was in power in Tamil Nadu when the Indira Gandhi government recognised Sri Lankan sovereignty over the island. The AIADMK has in the past accused the DMK of giving away the rights of Tamil fishermen by handing over the island.

Why the issue is important for BJP

The controversy assumes political significance for BJP, which is trying to make gains in south India to further improve its seat share in the Lok Sabha. While BJP has been dominating the electoral landscape in the Hindi heartland and other states, it has always been looked at as “pro-Hindi” party. Also, language barrier as well as the lack of leadership in the state have been the main handicaps for the BJP in Tamil Nadu. While it has roots in Karnataka, largely due to its leader BS Yeddiurappa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been difficult for the BJP to expand its footprint. With the Katchatheevu issue, the BJP may be trying to convey the message that is aligned with the local issues of Tamil Nadu.

With the BJP and its allies eyeing 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, Tamil Nadu becomes important for the party. The state sends 39 members to the Lok Sabha. Tamil Nadu will vote on April 19. The BJP had won no seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and one in 2014. In Tamil Nadu, BJP is contesting the elections in alliance with Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK) and Ambum Ramadoss-led Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). Its former ally AIDAMK is contesting the election alone. The PM also has been making frequent visits and launching various developmental projects to smoothen the BJP’s electoral journey in the state.