Watch | How is the St. Antony’s church festival at Katchatheevu celebrated?

A video on St. Antony’s church festival at Katchatheevu, that draws pilgrims, mainly fisherfolk, from both India and Sri Lanka.

Katchatheevu is an island in the Palk Straits that connects India and Sri Lanka. The island, which belongs to Sri Lanka, measures 285.20 acres and is located about 14 nautical miles from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

Every year, a church festival is held here during February or March and draws thousands of pilgrims. This mainly includes fisherfolk from both India and Sri Lanka, praying for happiness and good health. But this nondescript island has for long been a topic of debate on both sides.

Why does India want to retrieve Katchatheevu?

Katchatheevu gained prominence in the 1970s. In 1974 and 1976, two agreements between India and Sri Lanka followed. Then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike signed agreements making Katchatheevu a part of Sri Lanka. Ever since, with Katchatheevu determining the maritime border, discussions on fishing rights have been crucial for both India and Sri Lanka.

While Indian politicians want the island retrieved, Sri Lankan politicians have not taken much interest in talks of handing the piece of land to India. However, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin appealed to PM Narendra Modi regarding this during his visit to Chennai last year. Stalin said this was the right time to retrieve Katchatheevu as it would uphold the rights of Indian fishermen.

What is Sri Lanka’s stand on the issue?

Earlier, Indian fishermen would freely use the waters for fishing and exchange pleasantries with their Sri Lankan counterparts and relax on the island. They would even pray at the church and there were no restrictions even after the agreement between the two nations were signed. But after the civil war in Sri Lanka, the scenario changed.