Residents of Lakshadweep held placards outside their homes, even underwater, as part of a 12-hour hunger strike today to protest against controversial new rules planned for the islands in the Arabian Sea.
As per a report published on NDTV, the residents protested from their own homes and shops against new decisions that administrator Praful Khoda Patel insists will help develop Lakshadweep as a major tourist draw “like the Maldives.”
Critics say the decisions have spread anger and fear in the pristine archipelago of 70,000 people, known for its forests, white beaches, and emerald sea.
In one of the most fiercely opposed decisions, the administrator has introduced a draft detention law — the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities — which gives the administration sweeping powers to detain anyone for up to a year.
Residents say the proposed “Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation (2021)” will destroy the unique culture and tradition of the islands and grant arbitrary powers to the administration to acquire land.
There is also anger over a proposed ban on killing bovine animals and the consumption, storage, transport, or sale of cattle. Lakshadweep’s residents, who are mostly Muslim, feel these rules target their food habits.
Another trigger is the Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation, which says candidates with more than two children cannot contest gram panchayat elections.
The changes have provoked immense local anger, and various parties have backed their protests. Many MPs, bureaucrats, and prominent voices have spoken up against the changes. The Kerala assembly has passed a unanimous resolution seeking the recall of the administrator.
The draft laws are with the Union Home Ministry for approval. Last week, Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal told the media Home Minister Amit Shah assured him that no law would be enforced in Lakshadweep against the wishes of its people.
Yesterday, 93 retired top bureaucrats wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticizing the “partisan attitude” of the new administrator and called his decisions “disturbing.”
The letter alleged that the rules ignore the unique geography and community life of islands and give “arbitrary and draconian powers to the administrator” to acquire, alter, transfer, and remove or relocate islanders from their property.