Legal Battle for Sea Passage: Fishermen's Quest to Katchatheevu Continues

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court is addressing a PIL concerning fishermen's use of fiberglass motorized boats to travel to Katchatheevu for the St. Antony's Church festival. The petition challenges the existing ban, seeking legal approval for modernized travel methods in light of traditional practices.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought responses from both the Central and State governments regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) petition. The petition seeks permission for traditional fishermen to use fiberglass-reinforced plastic motorized boats to travel to Katchatheevu for this year's St. Antony's Church festival.

Filed by Prince Raymond from Ramanathapuram district, the petition highlights the longstanding tradition of Lenten festival observance by Christians at St. Antony's Church in Katchatheevu, which lies between India and Sri Lanka. The festival is set to occur on March 14 and 15, and since 2010, many have traveled using motorized country boats. However, a 2013 ban transformed travel logistics, with mechanized boats being the only sanctioned method, incurring costs over Rs 1,300 per person.

The legal petition seeks to overturn the restriction, enabling fiberglass-reinforced plastic motorized boats, which are more economical and can carry more than 10 passengers. Despite objections from local authorities, the petitioner's complaint has landed in court, emphasizing the need for affordable, practical, and traditional access to the Katchatheevu festival.