Controversy, off the coast of Kerala

When the East India Company started becoming more than just a trading company, the colonial overlords deemed themselves superior and felt it necessary to “uplift the backward”, although it is no secret who uplifted whom as we look back today.

While am sure the intensity and deviousness of the British colonial rulers is not what is being played out in the Lakshadweep, it is hard not to at least draw a parallel of the ill placed ideas driving these changes. The administration is defending all the changes being ushered in as those that will benefit the community, while the community itself, feels differently.

In a region where the share of the Muslim population is nearly 95% (2011 census), a proposal to ban cow slaughter has been introduced. Also, meat like beef and chicken have been removed from the mid-day meal schemes in schools. In a region where the crime rate is among the lowest in the whole nation, “anti-social activities prevention” regulation has been introduced which provides for detention of up to a year, without legal reprieves. Sweeping powers with respect to land acquisition have been introduced. Under yet another proposition, a draft to disqualify people with more than two children to contest in the local panchayat elections has been made.

Another point in perspective is that historically, Lakshadweep administrators have been bureaucrats. The current administrator, Mr. Praful Patel is a career politician from Gujarat, with close ties to the BJP.

While the island’s stringent COVID protocols, that helped prevent an outbreak were loosened recently, CPI(M) leaders have alleged that their permission to visit the island have been refused on grounds on COVID. The objective of their visit was to look at the ground situation in light of all the new regulations.

The nitty-gritty of the entire list labours on. An administration ought to be in sync with the needs and demands of the region, unilaterally declaring what is best for the region begs a reference to a culture of overlords.

So, if not the needs/demands of the people, what exactly is driving these changes?