Amidst the arrival of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the issue of the island of Katchatheevu island which is situated nearer to the state of Tamil Nadu seems to be gaining attention. Is it because of the tweet from PM Modi or the sensitivity of the issue? Let us read the story to know it in detail.

Katchatheevu Island Issue Highlights

• Katchatheevu island is a small island lying in the Palk Strait in between India and Sri Lanka.

• On 31st March 2024, PM Modi via a ‘X’ post highlighted the issue of Katchatheevu island based on a RTI report.

• The island was a subject of dispute since British rule and was given away to the Sri Lankan Government in the year 1974.

• Tamil Nadu CM opposed the issue of highlighting this matter as he says the BJP government hasn’t done anything to safeguard the rights of the Fishermen.

• Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held a Press conference to explain the issue of Katchatheevu island to the public and the concluding points from the RTI report.

• Sri Lankan media is criticizing the Indian government for spoiling the relation between the two countries on the issue of an already settled matter.

• Amidst these news headlines daily we are forgetting the real purpose of this human life which is to true worship and attain salvation.

Where is Katchatheevu Island?

Katchatheevu is a small and tiny island with a very small area of 1.9 Sq.km (0.7 Sq mile) lies in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. The island lies northeast to the state of Tamil Nadu (Rameswaram Town).

What is the Katchatheevu Island Issue?

Katchatheevu Island was in dispute between India and Sri Lanka since the British colonial period about fishing rights in that area. But the issue was settled in 1974 by the GOI when the Congress government was the ruling government when they gave up its claim on the island. And the agreement between the two governments prohibits fishing in each other’s waters.

How has Katchatheevu Island resurfaced?

The issue was highlighted by PM Modi just before the Lok Sabha Elections calling the Congress government and the DMK responsible for giving up Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. BJP claims that India had an upper hand still the Indian Government gave up on the island. BJP Chief in Tamil Nadu K. Annamalai unearthed the issue by amplifying a RTI reply on the same island and the issue came into the limelight of the media.

Reaction from Indian Foreign Minister S JaiShankar

• The BJP Government and its Foreign Minister S Jaishankar put the blame on Indira Gandhi and the Congress government at that time as they showed no importance to Katchatheevu island. 

• “I think what is most important is that the people of Tamil Nadu should know the truth. How did it happen? It happens because when the Central government was negotiating this issue, they were actually consulting the then state government, which was led by the DMK, but that was kept as a secret. So, DMK was very much a party to these negotiations, very much a party to this outcome,” Foreign Minister said while replying to the media.

• “And in fact, the position of the DMK was, ‘Okay, we agree with all of these, but you know, in public, we will not support it. So, in public, we will say something else, but actually we are with you,” S Jaishankar said.

• “I can remember replying to more than 20 letters on this issue (to the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin),”

Reaction from Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin

• Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin criticized PM Modi over highlighting the issue as he has done nothing in his tenure to safeguard the rights of Tamil Nadu people and the fishermen around the island.

■ Also Read: Controversy on Introduction of Course on Holy Bhagavad Gita: How to Know The Real Essence of Holy Gita Ji?

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin “When the BJP came to power, what did it say in the SC regarding Katchatheevu? They said that we would have to engage in a battle with Sri Lanka if we wanted to get the island back.” 

Reactions from Sri Lankan Government 

• Sri Lankan Minister Ali Sabry said “There is no controversy. They are having an internal political debate about who is responsible. Other than that, no one is talking about claiming Katchatheevu.”

• Sri Lankan Minister Jeevan Thondaman said “As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, Katchatheevu island falls within the Sri Lankan line of control. Narendra Modi’s foreign policy with Sri Lanka is organic and healthy. So far, there has not been an official communication from India to return the powers of Katchatheevu island. No such request from India so far. If there is such a communication, the foreign ministry will reply to that.”

Reactions from Sri Lankan Media

• The Sri Lankan media takes a dig at the Modi Government and calls this episode a political stunt. The media said that this issue has been intentionally highlighted just before the Lok Sabha Elections to gain political importance and gather votes from the people of Tamil Nadu. 
• The Morning Newspaper, Ceylon Today, The Daily Mirror, Daily FT criticized the Modi Government for highlighting the issue as it was already settled for approximately 50 years.

Salvation is the Real Goal

Everyday we see people taking birth and dying but because of our misfortunes we aren’t able to ask ourselves that if we are taking birth then why are we dying? Why do we set up our friends and family and everything is finished in a flash and no one knows when it will happen and how to avoid it. This is the real dilemma but the answer to these questions is given by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj through His true spiritual knowledge.

Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj has explained through His true spiritual knowledge that this place belongs to Satan (Kaal Brahm) who is the narrator of Holy Gita ji as well. He is the one responsible for killing us and doesn’t have the powers to give a life extension. Only by the worship of Supreme God Kabir by going into the refuge of His Tatvdarshi Sant (Sant Rampal Ji) one can get rid of this cycle of birth and death and can become immortal by obtaining a place at the everlasting abode Satlok. For more information visit Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj on youtube.

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