Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Calls for PM’s Intervention

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has reiterated his demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to directly intervene in the ongoing Katchatheevu dispute. He emphasized the need for a resolution to secure the release of Indian fishermen and boats currently detained in Sri Lankan prisons. According to Mr. Stalin, the BJP-led central government has failed to protect Tamil Nadu’s fishermen over the past decade, while politicizing the Katchatheevu issue without taking effective action. He stressed that only a direct intervention by the Prime Minister could bring a lasting solution for Tamil fishermen.

Criticism of Central Government’s Inaction

Mr. Stalin criticized the central government for its silence in response to recent claims by Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda. The minister alleged that Tamil Nadu fishermen frequently trespass into Sri Lankan waters and stated that Colombo would not return the Katchatheevu island. Mr. Stalin questioned why External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has not addressed these claims and highlighted that the Tamil Nadu Assembly has already passed a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu. He also mentioned his personal efforts in raising the issue with the Prime Minister.

BJP’s Counterargument

In response, BJP spokesperson Narayan Tirupathy pointed out that it was during the Congress regime at the Centre and DMK’s rule in Tamil Nadu that Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. Mr. Tirupathy accused the DMK of inaction during their 14 years of shared power at the Centre. He claimed that under BJP rule, there have been no incidents of firing by the Lankan Navy, unlike during Congress rule when nearly 1,000 fishermen were killed. He also highlighted efforts made by the BJP to save a fisherman from a death sentence.

Experts’ Perspective on Long-Term Solutions

Maritime and diplomacy experts have warned that retrieving Katchatheevu alone may not resolve the issue, as the depletion of fish stocks in Indian waters forces fishermen to venture into Sri Lankan territory. They suggest that India consider negotiating a long-term lease or fishing rights agreement with Sri Lanka, rather than focusing solely on territorial control of Katchatheevu.

Political Implications Ahead of Elections

As tensions rise over the island, this issue is poised to become a significant political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The DMK government has vowed to continue its efforts to retrieve Katchatheevu, while BJP maintains its stance on addressing fishermen’s concerns through dialogue and negotiation.