BJP slams Congress over Katchatheevu island transfer
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday termed the transfer of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka as a 'historic dark chapter' of the Congress party, accusing it of compromising India's territorial integrity. The uninhabited island in the Palk Strait was recognized as Sri Lanka's sovereign territory by India in 1974 under an agreement signed between the two countries.
Details of the 1974 agreement
Katchatheevu, a small island located about 20 km northeast of Rameswaram, was ceded to Sri Lanka through a bilateral agreement during the tenure of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The agreement also delimited the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Strait. The BJP has long criticized this decision, arguing that it affected the livelihood of Indian fishermen who traditionally fished in those waters.
BJP's accusation
In a statement, BJP national spokesperson said, "The Congress party's decision to hand over Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka without parliamentary approval was a betrayal of the nation's interests. This historic dark chapter reflects the Congress's weak-kneed foreign policy." The party also claimed that the transfer has led to repeated arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities.
Impact on fishermen
According to data from the Tamil Nadu government, over 600 Indian fishermen have been arrested by Sri Lankan Navy in the past five years for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The BJP alleges that the 1974 agreement is the root cause of these incidents. Fishermen from Tamil Nadu frequently protest against the agreement, demanding its revocation.
Political reactions
The Congress party, however, defended the agreement, stating that it was a diplomatic necessity at the time to maintain friendly relations with Sri Lanka. A Congress leader said, "The agreement was based on mutual understanding and international law. The BJP is politicizing a settled issue for electoral gains." The issue has resurfaced ahead of the upcoming state elections in Tamil Nadu, where the BJP is seeking to expand its footprint.
Background of Katchatheevu
Katchatheevu historically was used by both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen. The island also houses a Catholic shrine dedicated to St. Antony, attracting pilgrims from both countries. The 1974 agreement was supplemented by a 1976 accord that further defined the maritime boundaries. Despite the transfer, India retained the right to use the island for certain purposes, but sovereignty remains with Sri Lanka.
