Amidst the Lok Sabha Election 2024 fervor, the Katchatheevu Island ownership dispute gains prominence. Sandwiched between Neduntheevu in Sri Lanka and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, Katchatheevu’s history is complex and contentious.
Originally controlled by colonial powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, Katchatheevu fell under Sri Lankan jurisdiction in the 1920s. India controversially handed over the island to Sri Lanka in 1974, stipulating continued access for Tamil fishermen.
This decision, made during Indira Gandhi’s tenure, sparked Tamil Nadu resentment, exacerbated by Sri Lankan Navy actions against Indian fishermen near Katchatheevu.
In 2011, Tamil Nadu filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the agreements. Despite efforts, the issue remains unresolved, now resurfacing in the 2024 election discourse.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai alleges the Union government is working to reclaim Katchatheevu and implicates the late Tamil Nadu former Chief Minister Karunanidhi in the decision to cede the island to Sri Lanka.
As political parties vie for power, Katchatheevu’s fate remains a contentious issue, shaping the region’s political landscape.