What is #SaveLakshadweep?
In the last few days, social media has exploded with the trending hashtag #SaveLakshadweep.
Islanders are accusing Praful Khoda Patel, BJP leader and the UT administrator, of implementing “repressive measures” and threatening “traditional life and culture of the island”. Politicians from Lakshadweep and neighbouring state Kerala are writing letters to President Kovind, urging him to remove Patel from the post.
Who is an Administrator?
Every union territory (UT) is administered by the President through an agent appointed by him. The President can specify the designation of the agent as Lieutenant Governor / Chief Commissioner / Administrator. The administrator is simply an agent- not the head of state.
Since 2015, administrators in Lakshadweep have been officers from the IAS or IPS. However, the present administrator, Mr. Praful Patel belongs to neither group.
Who is Praful Khoda Patel?
Praful Khoda Patel is a BJP leader who served as the Home Minister of Gujarat under the then Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. He was appointed the administrator of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on 26 January 2020 by the NDA government. Consequent to the passing of the Administrator of Lakshadweep, Dineshwar Sharma, Praful Patel assumed additional charge as Administrator of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep from 5 December 2020.
Questionable Covid handling?
Till January 18, 2021, Lakshadweep was the only Indian region to have zero Covid cases. By May 25, Lakshadweep had reported 6847 cases (~9% of its population) and 24 deaths.
As per old guidelines, anyone entering the islands had to quarantine for at least 7 days. While some accuse Patel of relaxing such guidelines, causing the spike in cases, the administration blames it on the new infectious virus strain and the surge in cases in Kerala.
LDAR 2021: What and why?
The Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021 (LDAR 2021) proposes to change the land ownership policies in Lakshadweep by empowering the government to select any land for ‘development’ purposes like “building, mining, quarrying, engineering” etc.
Reportedly, these are Patel’s efforts to bring in infrastructure and development projects in the Islands and boost its tourism potential.
LDAR 2021: Why not?
The Draft mentions that “a development plan shall not, either before or after it has been approved, be questioned in any manner, in any legal proceedings whatsoever”.
Such clauses have sparked fears that LDAR could threaten the inhabitants’ right to possess and retain property, thus potentially displacing many. The proposed developmental activities could also endanger the fragile ecosystem of the islands.
The last date to submit comments on LDAR is May 31.
Goonda Act
Patel introduced the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA), also known as the Goonda Act even though Lakshadweep reportedly has the lowest crime rate in the country. Under the act, a person can be detained without any public disclosure for a period of upto one year.
However, many NGOs, including ChildLife India Foundation, believe that the low crime rate is because of reduced crime reporting and not because of fewer crimes.
Muslim population standpoint
Lakshadweep’s population is majorly Malayam-speaking-Muslims.
The proposed Animals Preservation Regulation bans selling, keeping, buying, storing, transporting of beef and its products which are staple consumption items in the culture. The Regulation reportedly makes no mention about the marine biodiversity in the region. The restrictions on alcohol sales, put in place for cultural reasons, have also been unilaterally lifted by Patel. The reason cited is promoting tourism.
Amid the social media campaign opposing Patel’s reform policies, his administration is trying to amplify their intent.
All the aforementioned steps have reportedly been proposed to improve infrastructural development, curb crime and youth addiction issues and promote tourism and economic development in the region.
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