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Katchatheevu Island is a small island between India and Sri Lanka. It’s become a big issue before the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about it, blaming the Congress party for giving it to Sri Lanka. Now everyone is talking about the Island a lot, even on social media.
History of Katchatheevu Island
First, let us know about the history of Katchatheevu Island. According to the answers received from RTI, the then-Indira Gandhi government handed over this island to Sri Lanka in 1974. K. Annamalai, who is the Tamil Nadu BJP President, wanted to know more about Katchatheevu Island. He filed an RTI application.
Now, let me tell you where Katchatheevu Island is. It is right at the bottom of India. The island is located at the southern end of India in the Indian Ocean. It falls between Rameshwaram of India and Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu island was under the rule of King Ramanad of Madurai in the 17th century and is spread over an area of 285 acres.
During British rule, this island went to the Madras Presidency. In the year 1921, both India and Sri Lanka claimed this place for fishing. After independence, between 1974-76, four agreements were signed regarding the sea boundary, under which Indian fishermen were allowed to dry their nets and rest here.
Under the agreement, Katchatheevu Island was handed over to Sri Lanka. In which some conditions were kept. For example, Indian fishermen will use this island to dry their nets. Indians will be allowed to visit the church built on this island without a visa. However, Indian fishermen cannot catch fish from this island.
Legal Challenges
The matter also reached the Supreme Court.
In 2008, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister Jayalalitha asked the Supreme Court to cancel the agreement about the island, saying it was against the constitution. The politics of Tamil Nadu has always been heated regarding this. On this issue, before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, PM Modi has again targeted Congress.
