Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the MK Stalin-led DMK on April 1 regarding the Katchatheevu island issue, asserting that the party has failed to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu.
Following the dissemination of a news article providing an elaborate chronicle of the events leading to Sri Lanka’s acquisition of the Katchatheevu island, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Monday, asserting that the emerging details regarding the island have exposed the party’s double standards.
The Prime Minister on Monday highlighted that then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had reportedly given his consent to the agreement despite his party, the DMK’s, public stance against the deal.
PM Modi shared a statement by late DMK MP Era Sezhiyan expressing anger at the India-Sri Lanka Maritime Agreement signed by the then Indira Gandhi government, in which India relinquished its claim on Katchatheevu Island, labeling it “an unholy agreement.”
“Rhetoric aside, DMK has done NOTHING to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests. New details emerging on #Katchatheevu have UNMASKED the DMK’s double standards totally. Congress and the DMK are family units. They only care that their own sons and daughters rise. They don’t care for anyone else. Their callousness on Katchatheevu has harmed the interests of our poor fishermen and fisherwomen in particular,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.
Rhetoric aside, DMK has done NOTHING to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests. New details emerging on #Katchatheevu have UNMASKED the DMK’s double standards totally.
Congress and DMK are family units. They only care that their own sons and daughters rise. They don’t care for anyone…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 1, 2024
PM Modi’s statement follows his criticism of the Congress party for ceding the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka during the tenure of the Indira Gandhi government in 1974. On Sunday, he expressed public discontent, stating that this action has deeply angered the populace and emphasized that the Congress party cannot be trusted.
He also accused the Congress of undermining India’s unity, integrity, and interests throughout its years of governance.
“Eye opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds- we can’t ever trust Congress! Weakening India’s unity, integrity, and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting,” PM Modi posted on X, citing a news report.
It is worth noting that the island, situated between Rameswaram (India) and Sri Lanka, was traditionally utilized by both Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen. In 1974, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi acknowledged Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan territory under the “Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement.” The 1974 Agreement regarding historic waters between Sri Lanka and India in the Palk Strait and the Palk Bay formally confirmed Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over the Island.