Congress ‘callously’ gave away Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka: PM
Modi attacks Congress over how Indira Gandhi government ceded the island to Sri Lanka in 1974; he had targeted the party over this issue during a debate on the noconfidence motion last year
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress over the ceding of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974 by the thenIndira Gandhi government, an issue that has gained prominence during the Lok Sabha election.
He cited a news report and posted on X: “Eyeopening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu .... ” He added that “weakening India’s unity, integrity, and interests has been Congress’s way of working for 75 years and counting”.
The news report was based on replies received under a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by BJP Tamil Nadu chief K. Annamalai, on the ceding of the island situated in the Palk Strait to Sri Lanka by India in 1974.
The RTI replies give details over the conflicting claims on the island, with Sri Lanka (thenCeylon) pressing its claims soon after Independence, as detailed in the news report, with the Opposition even during Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru’s time questioning the Government of India for being inclined to cede the territory.
After agreeing to cede the island to Sri Lanka in 1974, Indira Gandhi informed thenTamil Nadu Chief Minister and late Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M. Karunanidhi. The Congress and the DMK are in alliance in Tamil Nadu for the election.
The narrative around the island is not new, with Mr. Modi raising the issue in August last year during a debate on a notrust motion brought against his government in the Lok Sabha. At that time too, Mr. Modi had pointed out that “those attacking” his government on various issues needed to be questioned on Katchatheevu island and the circumstances under which it had been ceded.
The remarks by the Prime Minister on Sunday underscored his attack on the Congress on the question of the integrity of India’s sovereign claims, as well as his electoral push towards South India, especially Tamil Nadu.
‘Retrieve island’ Speaking near Palladam, Mr. Annamalai said the Tamil Nadu BJP was determined to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka. He said it was the only way to have a permanent solution to the problems faced by fishermen in the State. He said the Tamil Nadu BJP had submitted this demand to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about a year ago.