Tiny island is a giant political symbol

Santhosh matthew

The Statesman

0
24.04.2026

Katchatheevu never needs an invitation in Tamil Nadu politics. It turns up on its own – like that extra vada that arrives with a masala dosa. Small, crisp, and suddenly the centre of attention. As the state heads toward another Assembly election, Katchatheevu is back on the political plate, spicing up speeches, sharpening slogans, and stirring emotions. History has a way of returning in sharp one-liners. In Parliament, Mahavir Tyagi once challenged Jawaharlal Nehru during the Aksai Chin debate.

When Nehru dismissed the land as barren, Tyagi replied with sarcasm that still bites: if a bald head has no hair, does it mean the head has no value? Today, that logic echoes loudly in Tamil Nadu. Katchathe ev u may be a dry, uninhabited island, but its value cannot be measured in acres. Floating in the narrow stretch of the Palk Strait, this tiny island has grown into a giant political symbol. Every election season, it reappears with renewed force. This time, the language is louder, more emotional, and deeply rooted in Tamil nationalism and populist appeal. New political players have turned up the volume. Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam have stepped into the field with a mix of cinema-style messaging and political ambition.

For many of his supporters, Katchatheevu represents Tamil pride – something lost, something that must be reclaimed. The issue travels fast among the youth, from public meetings to mobile screens. Then comes Seeman of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, whose politics has always revolved around Tamil identity. His speeches do not treat Katchatheevu as just a diplomatic issue. He frames it as a question of honour, turning the island into a symbol of Tamil self-respect. The message is simple and powerful, designed to connect instantly. The Pattali Makkal Katchi led by Ramadoss adds another layer. By focusing on fishermen and their struggles, the party brings the issue down from high politics to everyday life. Here, Katchatheevu is not about maps or treaties – it is about survival.

National politics also enters the scene. Narendra Modi often speaks of a kind of “dharma diplomacy,” a balancing act rooted in civilisational values and practical strategy. In relations with Sri Lanka, this means keeping peace while addressing concerns at home. In Tamil Nadu’s election language, this idea is reshaped into a moral duty -protect Tamil fishermen, defend their rights, and do so without disturbing regional stability. Dharma becomes both a principle and a political tool. On the coast, the issue feels far more re al. Fishermen from Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, and Karaikal have lived with this problem for years. For them, the sea has no visible borders. Crossing an invisible line can mean arrest, confiscation of boats, or months in a foreign jail. What was once routine fishing has become a risky gamble.

Amid all this, the island carries a quiet spiritual pull. The St. Antony’s Shrine, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, draws devotees from both India and Sri Lanka. For a brief moment every year, faith softens borders. Boats arrive not with nets, but with prayers. It is a reminder that Katchatheevu is not only about politics – it is also about shared culture. The roots of the dispute go back to the 1974 agreement between Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike, which placed the island under Sri Lankan control. That decision continues to fuel debates, accusations, and promises of reversal, even as international agreements make any change complicated. In election season, complexity rarely sells. Simplicity does. Katchatheevu becomes a story that fits easily into speeches – a lost island, struggling fishermen, a promise of justice. It is emotional, visual, and easy to understand. That is why it returns again and again.

As campaigning intensifies, the island will travel everywhere – from loudspeakers in village squares to trending clips online. It will shape conversations in tea shops and television studios alike. Voters will hear it, argue about it, and carry it with them to the polling booth. After the votes are counted, Katchatheevu will fade from daily headlines. It always does. It will wait quietly in the waters of the Palk Strait, ready to return when the next election calls. In Tamil Nadu’s politics, some issues come and go. Katchatheevu stays. Small in size, powerful in emotion, and always ready to appear unannounced – like that extra vada that no one asked for, but everyone ends up talking about.

(The writer is Professor, Centre For South Asian Studies, Pondicherry Central University.)

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Tiny island is a giant political symbol

Santhosh matthew

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