Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Katchatheevu Ceding Sparks Bitter Debate Between TVK and DMK
Members of the Tamil Nadu Assembly argued about who was responsible for Katchatheevu being given to Sri Lanka.
The argument began during a discussion about government spending.
A DMK member talked about Tamil fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities.
He said many fishermen had later been released and credited the DMK government.
A TVK minister accused the DMK of giving away Katchatheevu.
DMK members became angry and rejected that claim.
TVK representatives said former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had agreed to the decision.
The DMK said the island was transferred without its consent and should be returned.
The Katchatheevu dispute triggered a heated exchange in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
DMK MLA Kadhar Batcha cited arrests of 1,291 Tamil fishermen by Sri Lanka over five years.
The DMK said 1,253 fishermen were released and highlighted its role in securing their release.
TVK ministers alleged Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka with former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's consent.
The DMK denied consenting, saying the island was handed over without state approval and should be retrieved.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam and DMK legislators, including ministers and MLAs, debated the issue.
- What
- The Assembly disputed whether Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka with the DMK government's consent.
- When
- Wednesday, during debate on the demands for grants.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- The dispute involved responsibility for the island's transfer, Tamil fishermen's arrests, and demands to retrieve Katchatheevu.
DMK Position
TVK Position
Consent for Ceding
DMK Position
The DMK said Katchatheevu was handed over without the state government's consent and called claims of approval false.
TVK Position
TVK ministers alleged that Karunanidhi was consulted privately and consented to the island's transfer.
Responsibility for the Transfer
DMK Position
The DMK emphasized that the Centre, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, ceded Katchatheevu and said the party had repeatedly sought its retrieval.
TVK Position
TVK representatives argued that the state government should have acted to prevent the transfer or informed the public and Assembly.
Fishermen's Welfare
DMK Position
The DMK cited its role in securing the release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka.
TVK Position
TVK members used the continuing arrests to criticize the consequences of the Katchatheevu decision and the DMK's responsibility.
- Fishermen arrested
- The TVK policy document cited 1,291 Tamil fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka in the past five years.
- Fishermen released
- The same figures cited 1,253 fishermen released.
- DMK position
- The DMK said Katchatheevu was handed over without the state's consent and should be retrieved.
- TVK allegation
- TVK ministers alleged that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi consented to the ceding.
- Central government role
- The debate acknowledged that the Centre was involved in the decision.
- Previous Assembly action
- E.V. Velu said the Assembly had repeatedly adopted resolutions demanding Katchatheevu's retrieval.