During a rally in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Katchatheevu issue, responding to comments made by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Without directly mentioning Singh, Modi criticized the mindset behind dismissing uninhabited territories as insignificant. He questioned whether such areas would be given away simply because no one lives there, drawing a parallel with Rajasthan’s desert landscape.
The Katchatheevu matter gained attention as the BJP, just ahead of elections, asserted through RTI documents that the island was ceded to Sri Lanka by the Congress government. Singh’s remarks dismissing the issue sparked controversy, with BJP leaders likening it to Nehru’s description of Aksai Chin as “barren land.”
Modi highlighted the Katchatheevu row, emphasizing its relevance to the elections, particularly in Tamil Nadu where the BJP aims for substantial gains. He criticized the Congress for its narrow perspective, linking it to questions about the connection between Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir. Modi warned about potential security risks if such thinking prevails.
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In response, Congress leader P Chidambaram dismissed BJP’s claims as baseless, stating that Katchatheevu was neither acquired nor ceded according to the BJP government’s earlier stance. Chidambaram questioned Modi’s past actions regarding the issue and criticized the lack of response to concerns raised by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar alleged the involvement of the DMK in ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka through secretive negotiations. He accused certain parties of inconsistency between their parliamentary statements and behind-the-scenes actions.
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