Social media was baffled when #SaveLakshadweep started the trend a few days ago. The people of the idyllic islands in the Arabian Sea who pride themselves on the beauty and culture of their land are in their arms against Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel for a number of reasons, from the mistreatment of the Covid-19 pandemic to the trial to dictate what islanders should or shouldn’t eat and drink.
Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal told India Today that the problems started when Patel, a former Gujarat MLA, was appointed the new administrator after his predecessor Dineshwar Sharma passed away. Since then, Patel has suggested a series of measures that have made it difficult for the people of Lakshadweep, who claim these actions would destroy their unique lifestyle. Faizal went one step further and accused the new administrator of “corrupting the democratic fabric of India with its” arbitrary ways “.
About Patel’s handling of the pandemic
During the first phase of Covid, the Lakshadweep Islands were a green zone with zero cases. This was due to the joint efforts of the then administrator Dineshwar Sharma, the elected representatives and the people, said Faizal.
“We have formulated a special SOP that introduces a quarantine system: Everyone who wants to visit Lakshadweep has to undergo a seven-day quarantine in Kochi. If he has a negative RTPCR test he will be allowed to enter Lakshadweep, where he will have to quarantine for another week, ”the MP said, adding that this process controlled the spread of the virus in the islands where there is a lack of health infrastructure.
Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said Praful Patel “spoils the democratic fabric of India” with its “arbitrary ways”. (File photo)
Immediately after taking office, however, Patel relaxed the SOPs, Faizal claimed. “We wanted economic activity, but we wanted the quarantine system to remain in place. But he disagreed and got rid of it, and now Lakshadweep has India’s highest positivity rate, ”said the MP.
WHY THE OUTCREAT AGAINST HARMFUL PATEL?
The islands are now in turmoil due to the numerous suggestions made by Patel, who also acts as the administrator of the UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as Daman and Diu. The 2021 draft Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation will ban the slaughter of cows, bulls and oxen, while other legislation aims to give the go-ahead for alcohol bars, ostensibly to encourage tourism. Lakshadweep has long been a non-alcoholic zone and, of course, beef is a big part of the islanders’ diet. These steps by the administrator caused a great outcry.
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“Under this law, he tries to implement what I should and should not eat. He’s taking away my constitutional rights, ”Faizal complained.
He also accused the government of attempting to usurp the people’s land with the introduction of the Lakshadweep Development Authority’s 2021 draft Ordinance. Purposes, claimed Faizal.
The MP also protested against Patel’s anti-Goonda law in the island area, where crime rates are very low.
Another legislative proposal is to prevent people with more than two children from participating in panchayat elections. It should be noted that the overall fertility rate of Lakshadweep is 1.6, which is well below the upper limit of two.
“LEGISLATION PROPOSED WITHOUT CONSULATION”
Faizal claimed that the administrator comes out with these “reforms” without consulting the public or elected officials. “These draft notifications are brought without discussion with elected representatives. This is against democracy,” he said.
Activists and local leaders across party lines have become known to condemn Patel’s “autocratic style of government”. In fact, Faizal, along with several members of the LDF and Congress from Kerala, wrote to the center demanding that Patel be removed from office and his proposals reviewed.
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