Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai on Thursday (January 23, 2025) defended his recent remarks in an interview that Indira Gandhi’s decision to gift Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka was a “strategic manoeuvre.”
In a statement, he countered BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai, who questioned the Congress leader’s remarks and alleged that the decision had led to the loss of lives of fishermen. Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the BJP leader was making statements “without understanding the issue.”
“Nobody can deny the fact there is no connection between fishermen fighting for fishing rights and the Katchatheevu issue,” he said. Mr. Selvaperunthagai cited then-attorney general Mukul Rohatgi’s remarks in the Supreme Court that it was impossible to retrieve Katchatheevu.
Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the BJP was raking up the issue for political gains. “Can Mr. Annamalai explain the actions taken by the BJP government to prevent the arrest of fishermen,” he asked.
“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi is really concerned about the welfare of fishermen, he has to hold talks and attempt to ensure that Tamil Nadu fishermen’s fishing rights are protected,” Mr. Selvaperunthagai said.
Published – January 24, 2025 12:13 pm IST