Seeman Criticizes DMK & AIADMK: “They Fall in Love with Katchatheevu Only During Elections”
At a recent administrative consultation meeting organized by the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) in Madurai’s Kalavasal, party coordinator Seeman launched a scathing attack on mainstream political parties over the Katchatheevu issue, accusing them of only using the matter for electoral gains.
The meeting included district administrators from Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari, where Seeman offered guidance and discussed political strategies. Speaking to the media before the meeting, Seeman delivered a pointed criticism:
“The issue of retrieving Katchatheevu has once again become a trending topic. But the way we, in the Naam Tamilar Katchi, approach it is fundamentally different. Look at it this way — a thief who commits crimes all year suddenly ties a protective sacred thread and fasts for a week during a temple festival. He pretends to be holy for that brief period. That’s exactly what these parties are doing during elections. Just like how the thief sanctifies his sins temporarily, these parties suddenly pretend to care about Katchatheevu. The temple festival for the thief is the election festival for them.”
What is the Katchatheevu Issue?
Katchatheevu is a tiny uninhabited island located between India and Sri Lanka. In 1974, the Indian government, under then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, ceded the island to Sri Lanka via a bilateral agreement, which has since been a controversial and emotional issue, especially among Tamil fishermen and Tamil Nadu’s political parties.
Since then, Tamil politicians have periodically brought up the matter, especially during times of heightened Indo-Lanka tensions or right before elections.
Seeman’s Core Allegation: Political Hypocrisy
Seeman’s primary allegation is that DMK, AIADMK, BJP, and other major parties raise the Katchatheevu issue only during election time. Once the elections are over, their voices fall silent, and the issue fades into the background — until the next campaign season. According to him, this is a classic example of political opportunism.
Temple Festival vs. Election Festival – A Sharp Analogy
Seeman’s analogy between a thief pretending to be holy during a temple festival and politicians pretending to care about national interests during election time struck a chord on social media.
“For them, elections are like temple festivals. They adorn themselves in patriotism and Tamil pride only during that time. Once it’s over, their love for Tamil rights vanishes,” he added.
The Double Standards of Tamil Nadu Politics
Seeman has often positioned himself as an outsider to the mainstream political game — someone who calls out double standards. According to him, both the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led central government are responsible for the current situation. He accuses them of failing to act on promises regarding Tamil fishermen’s safety, border issues, and Tamil rights.
Katchatheevu Retrieval: Just Political Rhetoric?
The retrieval of Katchatheevu is a complicated international issue, involving historical treaties, maritime boundaries, and diplomacy. In March 2024, the matter gained renewed attention when it was taken up in the courts and mentioned in political speeches. However, critics argue that it was merely a distraction tactic during election time.
Seeman questions why such a serious issue isn’t pursued aggressively during non-election periods.
Role of Media and Public Awareness
The rise of social media and independent journalism has allowed political speeches like Seeman’s to go viral. While mainstream parties often dominate headlines, voices like Seeman’s resonate especially with the youth and regional rights supporters, who feel alienated by traditional political structures.
Are the People Being Manipulated?
This question lies at the heart of Seeman’s speech. Are political parties genuinely interested in recovering Katchatheevu for the welfare of Tamil Nadu’s fishermen and preserving Tamil sovereignty? Or are they simply using the issue to stir up sentiment-driven votes?
Seeman asserts:
“If they really cared, they would’ve taken legal or diplomatic action long ago. But they need a script every election. For this season, the script is Katchatheevu.”
