Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress party sharply on Sunday, attributing the contentious handover of the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974 to the governance of the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government. Modi asserted that this decision has stirred indignation among the Indian populace, further undermining trust in the Congress party.

In a statement shared on X, PM Modi highlighted a news report unveiling the circumstances surrounding the relinquishment of Katchatheevu. He emphasized how this act, in his view, epitomized the Congress's historical tendency to compromise India's unity, integrity, and national interests over its 75-year tenure.

The Katchatheevu island, situated between Rameswaram (India) and Sri Lanka, had been traditionally utilized by fishermen from both countries. However, in 1974, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi formalized the transfer of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka through the "Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement." This decision confirmed Sri Lanka's sovereignty over the island, a move that has remained contentious ever since.

PM Modi's recent criticism echoes his earlier remarks made during a parliamentary debate in August last year, where he lambasted the Congress for what he perceived as divisive policies and the loss of Katchatheevu during Indira Gandhi's tenure. He underscored the significance of the island's strategic importance and its historical connection to "Maa Bharati" (Mother India), questioning the decision to cede it to another country.

The Prime Minister's comments have reignited debates over the Katchatheevu issue, with the ruling BJP positioning it as emblematic of Congress's alleged neglect of national interests. As PM Modi continues to scrutinize historical decisions, the political discourse surrounding India's territorial integrity remains charged and contentious.

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