Vijay and anti-Sri Lankan Tamil Nadu political rhetoric

TWO weeks ago, superstar Kollywood actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay, held a massive political rally in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, which not only drew the attention of India’s southern state but also made news waves in Sri Lanka due to the film star’s controversial remark over Katchatheevu Island.

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During his speech at the rally, which recorded huge attendance, the film star had urged the Indian Premier Narendra Modi to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka to ensure the safety of fishermen in Tamil Nadu.

Whenever there is an election in Tamil Nadu, Katchatheevu becomes a talking point. Even last year, during Lok Sabha election, leaders of India’s ruling political party slammed Indira Gandhi’s Congress administration for callously ceding the island to Sri Lanka. For decades, Tamil Nadu politicians have stirred anti-Sri Lankan sentiments to cement their political legacies. In 1974, India acknowledged Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lanka’s territory in a maritime boundary agreement signed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her counterpart Sirimavo Bandaranaike. There is no merit whatsoever in raising concerns about a matter which was amicably resolved 50 years ago diplomatically between the two states.