Kerala House adopts unanimous resolution against Lakshadweep administrator

Praful Patel, the administrator of Lakshadweep Islands was saffronising even the coconut trees in the archipelago, according to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He demanded the immediate recall of the administrator and quashing of all orders issued by him in the name of development  of the group of islands while introducing a resolution in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

In a show of unity and solidarity, all political parties supported the resolution introduced by the chief minister which was adopted unanimously. Leaders of all political parties belonging to the ruling LDF and the Opposition were seen vying with one another in lambasting the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre and its representative in the islands Praful Patel.

“The unique way of life of the people of Lakshadweep is being tampered with and attempts are being made to impose a saffron agenda and corporate interests in the islands. It started with painting saffron colour on the coconut trees and it has grown to an extent that would destroy their habitat, life and natural relationships… Steps have been taken to bring in the Goonda Act in Lakshadweep, where crime is rare. A dictatorial system of governance   is being developed through these measures,” said Vijayan while introducing the resolution.

The chief minister also blamed the Adminisrator for his efforts to ban cow slaughter in the islands. “This is an important part of the



staple food of the people in Lakshadweep. The administrator is taking the lead in gradually destroying the life and culture of the people of Lakshadweep,” charged Vijayan.

He said that bizarre orders related to elections were being implemented. The stance that those with more than two children were not eligible to contest panchayat elections was unheard of in India, said Vijayan.

The Kerala House had adopted unanimous resolutions in the past demanding the immediate release of leader of PDP Abdul Nazar Madani, who was arrested and imprisoned by the Karnataka Police in connection with the Bangalore serial blast cases and Tamil Nadu Police for the burning of a State Transport Bus, pointed out K Surendran, Kerala BJP president. Early this year, the House had adopted unanimous resolutions against the Citizen Amendment Act and Farm Bills. Chief Minister Vijayan has declared that the CAA and Farm Bills do not have legal sanctity in the State.

T G Mohan Das, political commentator, said he was shocked that the resolution remained silent over the opposition of the residents of the island towards installing the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, in the islands. “A statue of the Mahatma designed and built in 2010 is still awaiting clearance for installation from the local residents. It is getting dusted in the administrator’s office for more than a decade,” said Das.