The Kerala Assembly Monday unanimously passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the draconian regulations proposed by Union government in Lakshadweep Union Territory.
The resolution has demanded the removal of new Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel.
The hard-hitting resolution alleged that attempts were being made to impose ”saffron agendas” and ”corporate interests” by destroying the unique way of life of Lakshadweep people.
It also states that “In the name of promoting tourism, the culture and essence of Lakshadweep itself is being negated.”
The resolution tabled by CM Vijayan said that the Lakshadweep administration is “officially sabotaging the basic responsibility of protecting the lives of people”.
”The recent developments in Lakshadweep should be seen as a laboratory of the Sangh Parivar agenda. They are attempting to change the culture, language, lifestyle and food habits of people of the country in tune with their ideology,” the Chief Minister alleged.
Kerala has become the first state in the country to come up with a resolution to support the people of the union territory over the recent developments.
Setting aside their political differences, members of the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Congress- headed United Democratic Front unanimously backed the resolution.
Lakshadweep newly-appointed administrator Praful K Patel’s recent decisions and draconian regulations have caused discontent in the Muslim-majority islands.
He has been accused of implementing Goonda Act in a place where least number of violent crimes reported in the country, banning beef products in a place the meat is widely consumed, demolishing fishermen’s sheds in coastal areas for violating the Coast Guard Act and revoking restrictions on the consumption of alcohol.
The implementation of the agenda, rolled out in the name of reforms, began with the painting of coconut trees with saffron colour and it has now grown to the level of destroying the traditional habitat, life and natural relationships of the island dwellers, it alleged.
Steps have been taken to bring in the Goonda Act in the island where the crime rate is exceptionally low, it said.
Pointing out that the authorities also aimed at destroying their traditional livelihood of fishing, the resolution said tents, where the fishermen’s boats and nets are kept, have been rampantly destroyed.
Through the attempt to exclude beef, which is part of the natural diet of the people of the territory, the Sangh Parivar agenda of banning cow slaughter was being implemented through the backdoor, it alleged.
Thus, the administrator has taken the lead in annihilating the indigenous life and culture of the people of a territory inch by inch, the brief resolution further charged.
