Lakshadweep Islands Converted Into Protest Camps For The Local People

Highlights

• Administrator Praful Patel takes controversial decisions in the Lakshadweep islands
• Simmering protests have been fuelled by 23 arrests of the protestors
• Apparent religious homogenizing is being supported by Bharatiya Janata Party.

The image that we have of the Lakshadweep islands is a tranquil one that has a striking similarity with the Maldives. However, the entire area has been simmering with major protests just under the lid as the Bharatiya Janata Party has enforced some new rules in the islands. The Lakshadweep islands have turned into “protest camps” for most of the inhabitants.

The Cause Of Protests In Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep is about 500 km away from Kerala in the Arabian Sea. The entire island is an assortment of 36 islands which has a population of 65,000 people. The majority of the population is Muslim, and the islands are run by an administrator appointed by the government of India. The island is quite popular with tourists.

Administrator Patel had been appointed in 2020, and just after getting into power, he had decided to enforce some controversial rules on the islands. He proposed a draft of rules which will allow the administration to evict or relocate people for “planning purposes”. These people can be detained without trial for one year at least. The other proposals have banned cow slaughter and allowed the selling of alcohol as it hurts the religious sentiments of a particular religion.

Does it not seem similar that BJP’s homogenized outlook of society is bringing a new fear among the islanders about their actual religion?

The Twitter Campaign

A Twitter campaign was initiated by the people of Lakshadweep, mostly students, to gain support and momentum for their protests. Most of the prominent politicians like Rahul Gandhi had backed up the voices #SaveLakshadweep. To add to the misery of the protestors, there were 23 arrests. This was done for the protestors who had spoken up against the drug abuse comment of a local official.

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Step By Kerala Government

The Kerala Government had adopted a motion in their state legislative assembly last Monday. This motion has been created to demand protection and security for the people of Lakshadweep. The livelihoods of these people must be protected, and Administrator Praful Patel must be removed immediately.

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Voice Of Reason

Do you think the actions of Administrator Patel are right? Do you think that the people of Lakshadweep should have a say in their matters? Let us know your views here.