News Tamil Nadu

DMK Ally MDMK MP Vaiko Slanders Indian Navy; Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Hits Back

March 20, 2025
The Commune

On 19 March 2025, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) MP Vaiko raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha over the repeated attacks and arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. Expressing his anger, he went as far as to accuse the Indian Navy of colluding with their Sri Lankan counterparts to harass fishermen. In response, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman firmly rejected the claim, stating that the BJP-led government has taken immediate action in such cases and that it is inappropriate to make allegations against Indian forces, which actively protect the country’s fishermen. She urged Vaiko to reconsider his statement.

During Zero Hour, Vaiko highlighted that in January, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 43 fishermen from Tamil Nadu. When presented in the Kilinochchi court, they were fined exorbitant amounts, and those unable to pay were sentenced to further imprisonment. He also pointed out the recurring issue of Indian fishermen and their boats being seized, noting that over the past 40 years, 843 Tamil Nadu fishermen had lost their lives due to attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy. He cited a recent incident on 2 February, when over a thousand fishermen ventured into the sea, and 10 from Thangachimadam, fishing in the Bay of Mannar, were arrested along with the confiscation of their boats.

Vaiko accused the Sri Lankan Navy of systematically targeting the fishing industry and demanded strict action against them. However, his controversial remarks regarding the Indian Navy prompted Sitharaman to intervene, urging him to retract his words. The comments were eventually expunged from the record.

Vaiko said, “What for our Navy sitting like a lame duck in the ocean? What for? We are taxpayers to the Indian government, and the Tamil fishermen are they orphans? Orphans of the world? Every 40 years, 843 fishermen are killed by the Sri Lankan Navy. Our honorable Finance Minister also spends time meeting with them. Mr. Jaishankar meets with them, but for what purpose? Our Prime Minister is going to Sri Lanka to express condolences to the Sri Lankan government and Navy, what for he is going? Every day passes, no day goes without attacks. Today in Rameswaram’s Thangachimadam, thousands of fisher men and women are struggling and demanding justice from the government of India. Our Chief Minister, Mr. Stalin, has met with the Prime Minister and met External Affairs Minister and written several letters, but all are going to the dustbin. This is the way in which the Delhi government and the central government are treating the people of Tamil Nadu, the citizens of India, and the fishermen. At hereafter at very least, you don’t go there call them here. Unless you stop this, have the Indian Navy ever fire a single shot when they came in? they never cared for them. The Sri Lankan and Indian Navy people are collaborating with Sri Lankan Navy officials. This has been going on”

Acknowledging Vaiko’s deep emotions on the matter, Sitharaman stated, “The senior member, Vaiko, speaks with a lot of emotion and we are sympathetic; we understand his concern. However, I think that one line he said with anger should be reconsidered. It is not right, Does Indian Navy collaborate with the Sri Lankan Navy to harass our fishermen?” she said.

She also reminded the House that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, in 2014, personally intervened with the Sri Lankan government to secure the release of Indian fishermen sentenced to death. She reiterated that the Indian government remains committed to safeguarding its fishermen and has spared no effort in addressing such incidents.

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