Nishikant Dubey slams Congress for ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey criticized the Congress and DMK on Monday for giving away India's maritime rights by ceding Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. Speaking to reporters outside the Indian Parliament, he also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic tenure as both Chief Minister and Prime Minister, calling it a significant achievement for Indian democracy. "I have the documents and a copy of the agreement. This agreement shows that India lost the entire maritime area where it once had rights. The agreement was signed on June 26," he stated. He added, “They worked together with the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi, to make this deal. I have the minutes from the meetings involving Karunanidhi with the Government of India, and I can share them with anyone who asks.” Dubey blamed leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh for hurting fishermen's interests and increasing tensions with Sri Lanka. "Look at what happened after the 1976 agreement and the Katchatheevu agreement in 1974. Many fishermen were captured and detained by Sri Lanka while fishing in our waters. Even when Vajpayee tried to address this in 2002-2003, a joint statement was made but was reversed in 2008. I have mentioned both the 2008 statement and the March 23, 1976 agreement. Can anything be more shameful? Our fishermen have become like beggars. The DMK and Congress are playing politics in Tamil Nadu, and they will have to answer to the voters in the upcoming elections," Dubey remarked. He warned that this situation would lead to more problems for fishermen, as India’s control over the sea area at the international border would shift to Sri Lanka. Dubey referenced Attorney General Setalvad's views from 1961-62, stating, "The process that started with Nehru was continued by Indira and completed by Manmohan Singh and Sonia in 2008." He concluded by praising PM Modi, emphasizing that his long tenure and rise from humble beginnings reflect national pride and increasing public trust.