Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday criticised the Congress party over the Katchatheevu island controversy, which resurfaced after a Right To Information (RTI) report disclosed the decision of the then-Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi's government, to cede the strategic island of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974. Shah stated that the "Congress speaks about dividing the nation and sometimes they denigrate Indian culture and traditions."
Taking to X, Amit Shah said: "Slow claps for Congress! They willingly gave up Katchatheevu and had no regrets about it either. Sometimes an MP of the Congress speaks about dividing the nation and sometimes they denigrate Indian culture and traditions. This shows that they are against the unity and integrity of India. They only want to divide or break our nation."
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly criticised the Congress party for its role in the Katchatheevu row, describing the revelation as "eye-opening and startling." PM Modi accused the grand old party of compromising the country's integrity and interests.
PM Modi labeled it a "callous" decision and expressed that the handover of Katchatheevu by the Congress government has stirred anger among all Indians.
"This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds. We can’t ever trust Congress. Weakening India’s unity, integrity, and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting," PM Modi wrote on his official X handle.
Hitting back at Modi, Congress raised the issue of China border along Arunachal Pradesh demanding a white paper report on it while also questioning the timing of raising the issue which comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.