The Katchatheevu issue has once again become a focal point of political contention in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister MK Stalin urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and retrieve the island from Sri Lanka. Stalin's plea is rooted in concerns over the welfare of Tamil Nadu fishermen, who have historically relied on the waters around Katchatheevu for their livelihoods. The Tamil Nadu Assembly has also passed a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu to safeguard the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay region.

Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. It lies approximately 33 km northeast of Rameswaram, India, and 62 km southwest of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Historically, the island was owned by the Raja of Ramnad (now Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu) and later became part of the Madras Presidency. In the 1920s, both India and Sri Lanka claimed the island for fishing rights, leading to a dispute that remained unresolved for decades.

In 1974, then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike signed an agreement that defined a boundary placing Katchatheevu within Sri Lankan waters. This agreement allowed Indian fishermen to fish in the vicinity of Katchatheevu and to dry their nets on the island. However, subsequent conflicts and legislative actions by the Sri Lankan government have led to restrictions on Indian fishermen's access to the area.

Stalin has criticized the central government, alleging a failure to protect Tamil Nadu's fishermen and accusing the BJP of politicizing the Katchatheevu issue without taking concrete action. He referred to remarks by the Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister, who stated that Tamil Nadu fishermen frequently trespass and that Colombo would not return the island. Stalin questioned the central government's silence in response to these claims, emphasizing that the Tamil Nadu Assembly has already passed a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu and that he has personally raised the issue with the Prime Minister on multiple occasions.

The BJP, in turn, has attacked the DMK and Congress for "giving away" Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The BJP has been trying to gain ground in Tamil Nadu, and the Katchatheevu issue has become a point of contention between the BJP and the DMK. Some BJP leaders have stated that the party wants to retrieve Katchatheevu to ensure a lasting solution to fishermen's problems. However, the DMK has questioned why the AIADMK did not raise the issue during their time in power.

The Katchatheevu issue has a long and complex history, with both India and Sri Lanka having historical claims to the island. The island holds cultural and religious significance, particularly for the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Thousands of devotees from both countries participate in the annual Katchatheevu festival, commemorating St. Anthony's Church located on the island. The issue continues to be a source of tension between India and Sri Lanka, particularly concerning fishing rights in the surrounding waters. Indian fishermen often face arrest for crossing into Sri Lankan waters while fishing near Katchatheevu. Some suggest that India consider negotiating a long-term lease or fishing rights agreement with Sri Lanka, rather than focusing solely on territorial control of Katchatheevu.