Island of Katchatheevu always comes up for the people of Tamil Nade whenever elections are around the corner.
Key Points
- The island was unilaterally handed over to Sri Lanka by the Indira Gandhi government in 1974.
- Tamil political leaders are now demanding the return of this small island, which has been used by Tamil fishermen for decades to relax and dry fishing nets.
- The Sri Lankan government allows about 3,000 people a year to attend the feast of Saint Anthony, the most beloved of Tamil Christians, without visas or passports.
- The Tamils have demanded to get hold of their holy land and its premises, currently under the Jaffna Diocese.
Where Is Katchatheevu?
- Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited speck in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.
- It is no more than 1.6 km in length and slightly over 300 m wide at its broadest point.
- It lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast.
- The only structure on the island is an early 20th century Catholic shrine – St Anthony’s church.
- During an annual festival, Christian priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct the service, with devotees from both India and Sri Lanka making the pilgrimage.
- Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.
The History of Katchatheevu
- The island is relatively new in the geological timescale, being the product of a 14-century volcanic eruption.
- In the early medieval period, it was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka.
- In the 17th century, control passed to the Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram, about 55 km northwest of Rameswaram.
- It became part of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj.
- But in 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, at the time British colonies, claimed Katchatheevu in order to determine fishing boundaries.
- A survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka, but a British delegation from India challenged this, citing ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom.
- This dispute was not settled until 1974.
The 1974 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement
- In 1974, Indira Gandhi made attempts to settle the maritime border between India and Sri Lanka, once and for all.
- As a part of this settlement, known as the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’, Indira Gandhi ‘ceded’ Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
- At the time, she thought the island had little strategic value and that ceasing India’s claim over the island would deepen its ties with its southern neighbour.
- Moreover, as per the agreement, Indian fishermen were still allowed to access Katchatheevu “hitherto”.
- Unfortunately, the issue of fishing rights was not ironed out by the agreement. Sri Lanka interpreted Indian fishermens’ right to access Katchatheevu to be limited to “rest, drying nets and for visit to the Catholic shrine without visa”.
- Another agreement in 1976, during the period of Emergency in India, barred either country from fishing in the other’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Again, Katchatheevu lay right at the edge of the EEZs of either country, retaining a degree of uncertainty with regards to fishing rights.
Ongoing Conflict Over Katchatheevu
- Indian fishermen continued trespassing the Sri Lankan water boundary, searching for better catch in the area.
- The problem turned serious when fish and aquatic life in the Indian continental shelf depleted.
- They are also using modern fishing trolleys which harm marine life and the ecosystem.
- Sri Lankan authorities said that they are protecting their maritime boundaries against poaching, and securing the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen.
- Both sides ensure to not use force under any circumstances. However, the violent situation remains the same.
- In 2009, Sri Lanka started heavily guarding its maritime boundary in the Palk Strait to reduce the possibility of the return of Tamil insurgents in the country.
Tamil Nadu’s Position on Katchatheevu
- Tamil Nadu cited the historical control of the Ramnad zamindari over the island and traditional fishing rights of Indian Tamil fishermen.
- The island was given away to Sri Lanka without consulting the State Legislative Assembly.
- In 1991, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu.
- In 2008, Tamil Nadu filed a petition in court saying Katchatheevu could not be ceded to another country without a constitutional amendment.
- In 2012, the State approached Supreme Court to expedite the issue in the wake of increasing arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka.
Conclusion: The Future of Katchatheevu
The issue of Katchatheevu continues to be a point of contention between India and Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu’s demand for the island’s return, alongside the historical, cultural, and environmental concerns, ensures that Katchatheevu remains a prominent topic in political discourse. As both nations navigate this complex issue, the future of Katchatheevu and its significance to Tamil fishermen and the region remains uncertain.
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