A heated exchange erupted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly over Katchatheevu and the hardships faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen due to actions by the Sri Lankan Navy.
During the debate, DMK member Kaderbasha Muthuramalingam raised the continuing problems faced by fishermen. Minister Anand responded by asking whether the DMK was responsible for Katchatheevu being given to Sri Lanka.
DMK member Velu said the ceding of Katchatheevu happened under the Congress, which is now part of the ruling alliance, and claimed the DMK had opposed it through an Assembly resolution and protests. Power Minister Nirmal Kumar countered that when the Centre proceeded with the handover, the then DMK government remained silent, and alleged the decision was made with Karunanidhi’s approval. He argued that the then Chief Minister could have informed the public, passed a resolution, and moved the Supreme Court at the time.
AIADMK member Thalavai Sundaram said former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa filed a case in the Supreme Court in 2008 and the Union government responded, but alleged the DMK government in power then did not file a counter-affidavit. Congress member Tharakai Kathbat said Katchatheevu spans 285 acres and claimed it was exchanged for a much larger area called “Wedge Bank,” adding that the economic benefit is rarely discussed. DMK member Kovi Chezhiyan accused ministers of making remarks to suit social media “reels.”
