For the first time in 17 years, Indian pilgrims could not undertake the annual pilgrimage to Katchatheevu for the St. Antony’s church festival as the fisherfolk in the island boycotted the festival, protesting against the recent gunning down of a fisherman, allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy.
After Rev. Fr. L. Sagayaraj, the Verkodu Parish priest and chief coordinator of the pilgrimage, announced the calling off the festival three days ago, about 200 pilgrims from other districts and nearby states came to the fishing jetty here on Saturday to be told to return. Those who had turned up were aware of the boycott but still came as they had booked tickets and wanted to take a chance, Fr. Sagayaraj said. They offered worship at the Verkodu church and returned after taking part in the protest being staged by the fishermen at Thangachimadam.
This year, a record number of 4,991 pilgrims – 3,610 men, 1,118 women, 149 boy children and 114 girl children – had confirmed their pilgrimage, he said.
He said even after the fishermen leaders came out with the boycott call on March 5, the parish was hopeful of going ahead with the pilgrimage with a section of parish members wanting to join the pilgrimage but “we had to call it off after the shooting incident the next day,” he said.
After he conveyed their decision to the Jaffna diocese, which organised the festival in the islet, the priests wanted him to reconsider their decision but he told them the situation was not conducive here, Fr. Sagayaraj said.
