The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has found a new issue to target the Congress party over an incident that occurred during former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure in 1974. Through an RTI revelation, it has come to light that in 1974, Indira Gandhi ceded the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka under an agreement. Following this disclosure, PM Modi has severely criticised the Congress party through his social media platform X. Many experts believe that this could become an election issue that may benefit the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Let us explain the history of Katchatheevu island and how the BJP could potentially gain from this issue during the elections.
PM Modi’s Attack on Congress
On X, PM Modi wrote, “Eye-opening and shocking! New facts reveal how the Congress mercilessly gave up Katchatheevu. Every Indian is upset about this, and people feel that we can never trust the Congress! Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting.”
History of Katchatheevu Island
Katchatheevu is a small uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, located between the coastlines of Tamil Nadu, India and Northern Sri Lanka. The island has been a long-standing source of dispute between India and Sri Lanka. Prior to Indian independence in 1947, Katchatheevu was considered part of the Madras Presidency under British rule. However, after independence, the island’s ownership became a contentious issue.
In 1974, the Indian government ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka through the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Boundary Agreement. This agreement was signed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi without consulting the Tamil Nadu government or other stakeholders.
The agreement faced widespread criticism and protests in Tamil Nadu, as Katchatheevu held significant cultural and strategic importance for the state’s fishermen. It was a traditional fishing ground and also had implications for maritime boundaries and security.
In 1976, the Tamil Nadu government filed a case in the Supreme Court challenging the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. However, the Supreme Court upheld the agreement in its ruling.
Over the years, the dispute has resurfaced intermittently, with incidents of Indian fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters around Katchatheevu.
Why Did India Cede Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka?
In 1974, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo R.D. Bandaranaike signed an agreement recognizing Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lankan territory, leading to a change in the island’s ownership. However, a condition was set that Indian fishermen could continue to use the island for drying nets and resting. Later, the Sri Lankan navy imposed restrictions on fishing, and Indian fishermen were often arrested. Over time, demands have been raised in India to reclaim the island.
Impact on Lok Sabha Elections
The BJP appears to be aggressively targeting the Congress over this issue. PM Modi raised it during his election rally in Meerut after initially sharing the information on X. Many political pundits believe that this could benefit the BJP in the elections. BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla criticised the Congress, saying it always believes in the politics of “divide and rule” and breaking the country. A news article also reported that India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru allegedly said he had no hesitation in giving up the claim over the island. This revelation has put the Congress party on the defensive, as they now face criticism for allegedly surrendering Indian territory.
Article 370
It is noteworthy that the Modi government abolished Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Many political experts consider Article 370 as a crucial issue for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP had mentioned the abrogation of Article 370 in its manifesto, while the Congress had dismissed it as an election gimmick. Recently, PM Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir after the removal of Article 370, where he laid the foundation stones for several projects. However, some parties, including the Congress, still consider the move unconstitutional.
Construction of Ram Mandir
After a long struggle, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ramlalla was held in Ayodhya on January 22 this year. The BJP had also mentioned the Ram Mandir in its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto. The opposition acknowledges that the Ram Mandir is a favorable issue for the BJP, and the party is unlikely to miss an opportunity to raise it.
