Rahul Gandhi demands PM Modi to withdraw new regulations as political unrest in Lakshadweep grows
"I request you to intervene in this matter and ensure that the above mentioned orders are withdrawn. The people of Lakshadweep deserve a developmental vision that respects their way of life and reflects their aspirations," Gandhi told the Prime Minister.
FollowCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the withdrawal of new regulations in Lakshadweep, saying they seek to penalise dissent and undermine grassroots democracy.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he said all this is being done by the new Administrator Praful Khoda Patel in the guise of development and maintaining law and order.
"I request you to intervene in this matter and ensure that the above mentioned orders are withdrawn. The people of Lakshadweep deserve a developmental vision that respects their way of life and reflects their aspirations," Gandhi told the Prime Minister.
The uproar over Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel’s way of governance continues to get louder by the day, with 8 members of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Yuva Morcha resigning from the party in just the past two days while several others hinting on a similar move alleging an “autocratic governance”.
Former Yuva Morcha general secretary PP Mohammed Hashim claimed that several members of the party are frustrated over Patel’s decisions, such as a blanket ban on beef and a new (draft) regulation for the prevention of anti-social activities.
“We joined the BJP with the intention of bringing development to the islands. But the administrator does not listen to anyone and forces his orders on us. We decided to quit as the administrator's rule is disrupting life of the islanders,” he said, according to Times of India.
Back to Gandhi’s letter, noting that Lakshadweep's pristine natural beauty and its unique confluence of cultures have drawn people for generations, he said the custodians of its heritage seek to safeguard the archipelago for posterity.
"However, their future is threatened by the anti-people policies announced by the administrator of Lakshadweep, Shri Praful Khoda Patel. The administrator has unilaterally proposed sweeping changes without duly consulting elected representatives or the public. The people of Lakshadweep are protesting against these arbitrary actions," the former Congress chief said.
Gandhi said the administrator's attempt to undermine ecological sanctity of the island is evident in the draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation issued recently.
The provisions of the regulation, he said, undermine safeguards pertaining to land ownership, dilute environmental regulations for certain activities and severely limit legal recourse available to affected persons.
"Livelihood security and sustainable development are being sacrificed for short-term commercial gains. The provision in the draft Panchayat Regulation that disqualifies members with more than two children is blatantly anti-democratic," he said.
The measures by Patel that have run into a controversy include a ban on beef in the Muslim-dominated Lakshadweep, introduction of a Goonda Act though the crime rate on the islands is very low, a proposal to disqualify panchayat poll aspirants with more than two children, and establishment of a development authority with powers to acquire land.
In Kerala, which has strong social and cultural links with the islands, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has slammed the proposals, while MPs from the Left and Congress have written to President Ram Nath Kovind and the PM seeking their intervention.
(With inputs from agency)
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