Modi govt out to turn Lakshadweep into another laboratory of RSS-BJP ideology and politics

Lakshadweep, the group of small islands located in the Arabian sea towards the South West coast of Kerala shores, is the smallest Union Territory in India. Among the 36 Islands in the UT, only 11 are inhabited and the total population is roughly estimated to be around 75,000.

Lakshadweep was known for its beauty and tranquillity. The land and its people never came to the notice of the rest of India as they themselves built a humble and contented life. It was the most peaceful part of India where the crime rate was near to zero.

While the whole of India was reeling under the spread of COVID-19, Lakshadweep remained as the rarest specimen where no COVID cases were reported till December 2020.

The rhythm of life in Lakshadweep has been drastically changed once the BJP government at the Centre began to introduce its political designs there. The strife and turbulence experienced today in Lakshadweep is the by- product of BJP'S game plan conceived by the masterminds of BJP government.

RSS-BJP agenda for the island was exported from Delhi to Lakshadweep for which Administrator Praful Khoda Patel acted as the obedient middleman. The series of measures that he imposed on the people were arbitrary in nature. The lives and livelihood of the people came under attack one after another.

The Administrator began his reign of terror by framing charges and booking several young people for posters against CAA-NRC. Under the pretext of beautification, all temporary sheds were dismantled from the seashore. The people used to keep their fishing nets and boats in those thatched sheds from time immemorial.

The Goonda Act was introduced to suppress natural protest. Ninety nine percent of the population are Muslims who gave no space for any sort of extremism. Beef, fish and coconut were part of their food habits. All of a sudden beef was banned and all the dairy farms are now closed. The ‘gaurakshaks’ in the administration have ignored the fact that the cows in the farms are starving as the food supply has been stopped.

Hundreds of workers in tourism and water sports were pushed out. The life of Lakshadweep is closely connected to the mainland of Kerala. For their trade, health care and education, the islanders are associated with Kerala. Almost all their food reached the island from the Beypore port of Northern Kerala. The administration has made its plan open to shift it to the Mangalore port of Karnataka. Even air ambulance facilities available for patients are now restricted with so many conditionalities.

The BJP government at the Centre approached Lakshadweep as an outpost of an empire, where the laws and rules are unilaterally decided by their henchmen.

It is in this background that the people of Lakshadweep arose together to protect their lives and land from the atrocious moves of the Centre. Every political party has come together in this struggle for Lakshadweep.

In the meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah had a closed-door meeting with the MP from Lakshadweep, in which, it is reported, certain 'assurances' were mooted.

If the so-called ‘assurances’ carry any meaning, the Centre should nullify all the anti-people orders issued by the Administrator. But till this day, the government shows no sign of doing it.

If the Central government was serious, they should have recalled the Administrator. How can they do it when Praful Khoda Patel, the Administrator does everything only at the behest of the Modi-Shah duo?

The BJP government, through the Administrator, is trying to make Lakshadweep another laboratory of their ideology and politics. It is dictated by the tenets of racial supremacy and corporate greed, the heart and soul of BJP. A quick analysis of the orders in Lakshadweep would convince everyone of this fact.

The BJP plan is to convert Lakshadweep into a hub of corporate activities, as has happened in several Caribbean islands. The life and culture of the people would be surrendered before the prosecutors. As the first step towards ideological saffronisation, the coconut trees in Lakshadweep are painted with saffron colour.

The people in Lakshadweep are passing through a time of severe challenges. Never in the history of Lakshadweep was such a turmoil even imagined.

The MPs from Kerala who tried to visit Lakshadweep on a fact-finding mission were denied entry. Journalists are also not allowed to visit the island. But no restrictions are applicable to the kith and kin of the higher ups in the administration.

The government and administration are likely to continue the undemocratic, anti-people policies in the island. But the people of Lakshadweep are not going to succumb before them. The time has come for India to rally round the people of Lakshadweep.

The Kerala assembly has already passed a unanimous resolution in solidarity with their sisters and brothers. They are waging a battle for the cherished values of many people. Constitutional principles of secularism and democracy guide them in this struggle.

Like the peasants and workers, like the students and youth, who fight for India, now the people of Lakshadweep are also fighting for the unity and the values of our great nation. Theirs is a patriotic struggle. Hence, we salute them and stand in support of them.

(IPA Service)

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