Latest news with #Katchatheevu
Deccan Herald
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
DMK has no genuine concern for fishermen, Katchatheevu: AIADMK chief Palaniswami
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin raised the Katchatheevu issue only to target the BJP government at the Centre, he said.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Stalin Asks PM Modi To Intervene In Katchatheevu, BJP Says 'DMK Did Nothing When At Centre'
Last Updated: Chief Minister MK Stalin recalled that the state Assembly had adopted a resolution on April 2 this year, seeking Katchatheevu's retrieval. Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday alleged that the BJP-led Centre did not have the slightest concern for Tamil Nadu fishermen and that the BJP only does politics over who ceded Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. Addressing a government event, Stalin said that the state government is taking all necessary steps to protect fishermen and their traditional fishing rights. He added that whenever he meets the Prime Minister, he urges the central government to take back Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka, as this would help permanently solve the issues faced by Tamil Nadu's fishermen. He recalled that the state Assembly had adopted a resolution on April 2 this year, seeking Katchatheevu's retrieval. He added that the state is also urging the Centre to ensure the release of Indian fishermen held in Sri Lankan jails and to bring back their seized boats. 'The BJP-led Union government does not have even a little concern for the Tamils or the Tamil Nadu fishermen and they (BJP) are only doing politics over who ceded Katchatheevu (to Sri Lanka)," Stalin alleged. Further, the chief minister said: 'The power to enter into an agreement with a foreign country is vested with the Union government. For over 10 years now, the BJP has been in power at the Centre. So far, what are the steps taken by them to retrieve Katchatheevu? Have they at least ensured that Tamil Nadu fishermen are not arrested by Sri Lanka? No, they have not." Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has alleged that Tamil Nadu fishermen trespassed into Katchatheevu and that they will not give up Katchatheevu island. BJP spokesperson Narayan Tirupathy responded to Stalin's remarks, stating that it was under the Congress rule at the Centre and DMK's power in the state when Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974. 'DMK did nothing when they shared power at the Centre for 14 years. We have ensured no firing by the Lankan Navy, unlike in Congress rule, where nearly 1,000 fishermen were killed. We have even saved a fisherman from a death sentence," he said. (With PTI inputs) view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 09:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
2026 Tamil Nadu elections will mark a permanent farewell to Edappadi Palaniswami: CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) said the upcoming State Assembly elections would mark a permanent farewell to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, alleging that even members of his own party no longer trust him. Mr. Stalin made the remarks while launching and inaugurating completed development projects and distributing welfare assistance in Mayiladuthurai district, during which he expressed criticism of both the AIADMK and BJP-led Union government. Responding to Mr. Palaniswami's criticism of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Stalin said, 'He is unable to accept the scheme's success. His criticisms only serve to advertise our achievements. We implement this scheme without bias; even women from AIADMK families benefit.' He accused Mr. Palaniswami of reversing welfare progress during his tenure, pointing to the cancellation of the Moovalur Ramamirtham marriage assistance scheme and the free laptop distribution programme. 'Mr. Palaniswami says 'Tata, bye bye' to me. But since 2019, the people of Tamil Nadu have been saying the same to him. In the upcoming elections, it will be a permanent goodbye,' Mr. Stalin remarked. 'Even his own party cadres no longer believe in him.' Taking aim at Mr. Palaniswami's outreach to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Stalin alleged, that the AIADMK leader had knocked on Delhi's doors not for the people of Tamil Nadu but to escape raids and protect his family. 'He mortgaged a party built by lakhs of cadre,' Mr. Stalin alleged. On the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen's frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities, Mr. Stalin criticised the Union government for political inaction. 'The BJP-led Union government has failed to act, while continuing to politicise the Katchatheevu issue. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister clearly said the Tamil Nadu fishermen are intruding into their waters and that Katchatheevu will never be returned. And what has our External Affairs Minister said in response? Nothing.' Mr. Stalin reiterated his demand for the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring a lasting solution to the issue. Mr. Stalin declared that the next government at the Centre would be a 'Dravidian Model 2.0 government', one that would serve as a national benchmark for inclusive and progressive governance. Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin unveiled a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Vazhuvur village in Kuthalam taluk. He also held a brief roadshow near Dharmapuram, where he greeted school and college students as well as members of the general public.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
2026 Tamil Nadu elections will mark a permanent farewell to Edappadi Palaniswami: M.K. Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) said the upcoming State Assembly elections would mark a permanent farewell to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, alleging that even members of his own party no longer trust him. Mr. Stalin made the remarks while launching and inaugurating completed development projects and distributing welfare assistance in Mayiladuthurai district, during which he expressed criticism of both the AIADMK and BJP-led Union government. Responding to Mr. Palaniswami's criticism of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, Mr. Stalin said, 'He is unable to accept the scheme's success. His criticisms only serve to advertise our achievements. We implement this scheme without bias; even women from AIADMK families benefit.' He accused Mr. Palaniswami of reversing welfare progress during his tenure, pointing to the cancellation of the Moovalur Ramamirtham marriage assistance scheme and the free laptop distribution programme. 'Mr. Palaniswami says 'Tata, bye bye' to me. But since 2019, the people of Tamil Nadu have been saying the same to him. In the upcoming elections, it will be a permanent goodbye,' Mr. Stalin remarked. 'Even his own party cadres no longer believe in him.' Taking aim at Mr. Palaniswami's outreach to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mr. Stalin alleged, that the AIADMK leader had knocked on Delhi's doors not for the people of Tamil Nadu but to escape raids and protect his family. 'He mortgaged a party built by lakhs of cadre,' Mr. Stalin alleged. On the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen's frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities, Mr. Stalin criticised the Union government for political inaction. 'The BJP-led Union government has failed to act, while continuing to politicise the Katchatheevu issue. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister clearly said the Tamil Nadu fishermen are intruding into their waters and that Katchatheevu will never be returned. And what has our External Affairs Minister said in response? Nothing.' Mr. Stalin reiterated his demand for the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring a lasting solution to the issue. Mr. Stalin declared that the next government at the Centre would be a 'Dravidian Model 2.0 government', one that would serve as a national benchmark for inclusive and progressive governance. Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin unveiled a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at Vazhuvur village in Kuthalam taluk. He also held a brief roadshow near Dharmapuram, where he greeted school and college students as well as members of the general public.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rights of Indian fishermen given away during Emergency, says Jaishankar alluding to 1976 Katchatheevu pact
Effects of the Emergency (June 25, 1975 — March 21, 1977) can still be felt in Tamil Nadu and in India-Sri Lanka relations as the Government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did not protect the interests of Indian fishermen to fish in the Palk Strait while concluding a pact with Sri Lanka during that period, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday (June 27, 2025), apparently alluding to the Katchatheevu pact of 1976. Speaking about the Emergency at an event here, Mr. Jaishankar recollected his personal experience from that era and said the Emergency proved that democracy and freedom were in the 'blood' of the Indian people. 'During the Emergency, big decisions used to be taken without discussion. These days, you know when our fishermen venture near Sri Lanka, there they are arrested. You know the reason? The reason is that during the Emergency, an agreement was signed with Sri Lanka in which the rights of our fishermen that they had earlier to fish in the waters near Sri Lanka, was something that we gave up. If the Emergency was not there and if we had a genuine Parliament at that time, I don't think such an agreement would have been approved by the Parliament,' said the External Affairs Minister, speaking in Hindi. Indian fishermen frequently face arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy for trespassing into Sri Lankan waters — they are often arrested near the northern coast of the island, well past Katchatheevu — and fishing using the bottom trawling method, that is banned in Sri Lanka. 'The consequence of that period can be felt even today in Tamil Nadu,' said Mr. Jaishankar. The issue was earlier raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who on March 31 had blamed the Congress for 'callously' giving away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. The External Affairs Minister said the Emergency caused setback to India's global image and senior diplomats at that time used to face difficulties in justifying the Emergency rule in India that had done away with democratic governance. 'Several lessons' 'In 1977 I joined Indian Foreign Service after clearing UPSC examination. We used to hear from senior diplomats of that time, how difficult it was to defend the Emergency in the world and how India was criticised because of the Emergency rule,' said Mr. Jaishankar, recollecting that the world perceived India as the largest and oldest democracy and it was difficult for Indian diplomats to defend the authoritarian rule of Emergency era before the world. He said the Emergency had several enduring lessons of that period asserting that: 'Never take freedom for granted. Democracy is in our blood and DNA.' The External Affairs Minister recollected how the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Students Union faced police crackdown for opposing the Emergency. 'The 30th Amendment stated that people cannot approach courts against the declaration of the Emergency. The 39th Amendment stated that people cannot go to court against the election of the Prime Minister and the 42nd Amendment stated that the Fundamental Rights of people would be diluted and the power of judiciary in the country would be reduced,' said Mr. Jaishankar, recollecting that during the Emergency, five Constitutional Amendments and 48 Ordinances were passed.
