Save Lakshadweep campaign

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Save Lakshadweep campaign
Location
 India
Caused byNew administrative reforms announced by the Union Territory of Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel
GoalsTo cancel the new administrative reforms announced by the Union Territory of Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel
MethodsDemonstrations, Hunger strikes
Parties

The save Lakshadweep campaign is a protest against the administrative reforms announced by the Union Territory of Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel, which protesters describe as anti-people.[1][2] The protests, under the 'Save Lakshadweep campaign', have intensified with more prominent personalities supporting the campaign.[3]

Following the appointment of Praful Khoda Patel as the Administrator of Lakshadweep in December 2020, Patel's administration ended mandatory quarantine for those entering the territory,[4] and allowed anyone with a negative RT-PCR test to travel to the islands.[5][6]

The territory had its first COVID-19 case on 18 January 2021, and total cases had reached 7300 by the end of May.[7] Mohammed Faizal P. P., Member of Parliament for Lakshadweep, attributed the rise in cases to the loosening of travel restrictions; the administration said that the surge was instead caused by the emergence of a more virulent SARS-CoV-2 strain, resumption of economic activity, and an increase in cases in Kerala, which is the territory's main link to mainland India.[6]

Patel has also suggested policy changes such as instructing port authorities to cut ties with Beypore port and Cochin Port in Kerala and divert all maritime exchanges to New Mangalore Port.[8][9][10] All dairy farms on the islands, run by the Animal Husbandry Department, were ordered to be shut down, with the cattle to be auctioned off, and dairy products instead to be imported from Gujarat-based Amul.[11][12] Patel's administration also lifted alcohol restrictions, and banned beef, and removed the meat from the school Midday Meal Scheme.[11][13] Many locals accused the administration of implementing a Hindutva agenda.[14] Patel's administration also demolished fishermen's coastal sheds, citing violations of the Coast Guard Act.[15][12] The Administration has argued that these policies are still in pipeline and yet to be implemented.

Opposition political parties such as the Indian National Congress[16] and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have come out in protest. Some local members of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Lakshadweep also voiced their criticism against Patel’s policies.[17] Following the controversy, the All India Congress Committee submitted a request to the Lakshadweep administration seeking permission to visit the island, but their request was rejected citing the COVID-19 situation in the island.[18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Save Lakshadweep Campaign: What Is It About? Key Questions Answered". Moneycontrol. 24 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Island on the boil: Everything you need to know about 'Save Lakshadweep' campaign". The New Indian Express.
  3. ^ "Actor Prithviraj, footballer Vineeth come forward to support 'Save Lakshadweep' campaign". The New Indian Express.
  4. ^ Anandan, S (2021-05-25). "Widespread resentment in Lakshadweep over a slew of bad law proposals". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  5. ^ "Amid Unrest, New Travel Restrictions Introduced in Lakshadweep". 2021-05-29. Archived from the original on 2021-05-29. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  6. ^ a b "Zero cases in 2020 to nearly 5,000 now — how Covid-free Lakshadweep got infected by virus due to Praful Patel's measures". Kerala Kaumudi. 2021-05-24. Archived from the original on 2021-05-29. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  7. ^ Varma, Vishnu (2021-05-29). "Explained: Why Lakshadweep Administration proposals have upset locals". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2021-05-29. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  8. ^ "From Beef Ban To Land Amendment Regulations, Here's Why Lakshadweep Is Protesting". Outlook India. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  9. ^ "Kochi, Beypore ports may lose out as Lakshadweep administrator promotes Mangaluru". Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  10. ^ "Anti-Goonda Act to beef ban: How Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel has caused chaos in UT". DNA India. 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  11. ^ a b "Beef Ban To Goonda Act, Why People Of Lakshadweep Are Protesting Against The UT's Administrator". 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  12. ^ a b പത്മനാഭൻ, എം പി. "ലക്ഷദ്വീപ് പുകയുന്നു; അഡ്മിനിസ്‌ട്രേറ്ററുടെ നടപടികളിൽ പ്രതിഷേധം". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 2021-05-25. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  13. ^ "Beef ban, nod to liquor sale: Lakshadweep protests as Praful Patel approves new reforms". Hindustan Times. 25 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Resentment brews against Lakshadweep administration". Deccan Herald. 24 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Lakshadweep booze, beef policy draws ire". Times of India. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  16. ^ "Lakshadweep crisis: 'Ignorant bigots' in power destroying India's jewel in ocean, says Rahul Gandhi".
  17. ^ "Lakshadweep BJP chief joins protests against new regulations".
  18. ^ "39 fisheries officials transferred amid protests against administrator in Lakshadweep".
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