Rahul Gandhi to PM Modi: New order undermines democracy in Lakshadweep, withdraw them

Two days after Lakshadweep BJP leaders too joined chorus for the autonomy of the island, resigning from the saffron party, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has urged PM Modi to withdraw the order which “undermines the grassroot democracy” in the union territory.

In his two-page letter to the PM, Rahul sought his intervention to resolve the crisis in Lakshadweep.

Attacking administrator Praful Khoda Patel, Rahul Gandhi, who a day before had labelled the Lakshadweep administration as “ignorant bigots” reiterated, “Draconian regulations in Lakshadweep would penalise dissent and undermine grassroots democracy”.

“Under the guise of development and maintaining law and order in a low crime UT, the draconian regulations penalise dissent and undermine grassroots democracy,” Rahul Gandhi wrote in the letter.

“The administrator has unilaterally proposed sweeping changes without duty consulting elected representatives or the public. The people of Lakshadweep are protesting against these arbitrary actions,” he added.

Opposing the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation-2021, Rahul Gandhi said in the letter that the provisions “undermine safeguards pertaining to land ownerships, dilute environmental regulations for certain activities and limit legal resources available to affected persons”.

“I request you to intervene in this matter and ensure that orders are withdrawn. The people of Lakshadweep have a developmental vision that respects their way of life and reflects their aspirations,” asked Rahul Gandhi.

Joining the Opposition in demanding the immediate removal of the Lakshadweep administrator, Congress said that the administrator is not only destroying the peace and culture of the islands, but also “harassing” the people by imposing arbitrary restrictions.

NCP president Sharad Pawar has also written to PM Modi, saying the new order would lead to the destruction of traditional means of livelihood and the unique culture of the island.

Calling the decisions taken by the administrator “unwarranted and irrational,” Pawar also sought immediate removal of the order.

The appointment of a new administrator, who works in close co-operation with people's representatives and takes a holistic approach to work with the native people, will be highly appreciated, Pawar said in his letter.

Praful Khoda Patel, the administrator of Daman and Diu, was given the additional charge of Lakshadweep in December 2020.

His new regulations – including Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation 2021, Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation 2021 and changing of COVID 19 SoPs, under which RT-PCR test was made mandatory for outsiders – have also been opposed in the past.