Kerala Assembly unanimously passes resolution against Lakshadweep administrator

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking the removal of Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel in solidarity with the people of the islands.

Urging the Central government's immediate intervention in the matter, Pinaryi Vijayan said that it is the Union government's responsibility to ensure that the interests of the people of Lakshadweep are protected.

The resolution demanded the removal of Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel, revoke his alleged "anti-people" policies, and reminding the Centre of its responsibility to protect the lives and livelihoods of the islanders.

The resolution said: "It is the Centre's responsibility to ensure the interests of those people (residents of Lakshadweep) should be protected. The Assembly unanimously demands the Administrator, who is challenging the interests of the people, must be removed and the Centre must take immediate action to protect the lives and livelihood of people of Lakshadweep."

The resolution tabled by CM Vijayan states that the Lakshadweep administration is "officially sabotaging the basic responsibility of protecting the lives of people".

While presenting the resolution in the assembly, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Centre is trying to implement the saffron agenda and corporate interests in Lakshadweep by bringing in various acts like the Goonda Act when the crime rates on the island are minimal.

Meanwhile, the CPI-M state secretariat has decided to stage a protest on May 31 in front of the Lakshadweep offices in Beypore and Kochi accusing the Central government of trying to abolish the special rights of Lakshadweep.

The Congress' VD Satheesan, who is Kerala's new Leader of the Opposition, slammed the "Sangh Parivar agenda" for turning Lakshadweep into a laboratory to test if such draconian laws can be imposed on people. He added that through this resolution, Kerala must stand as a model before the country, against the Sangh Parivar agenda.

Praful Khoda Patel, Lakshadweep's newly appointed Administrator, is at the centre of a political row that has exploded over the past few days, with the ripples reaching as far afield as Delhi.

He has been accused of banning beef products in a place where it is widely consumed, demolishing fishermen's sheds in coastal areas (ostensibly for violating the Coast Guard Act) and revoking restrictions on alcohol consumption. He has also removed non-vegetarian food from midday meals at local schools and hostels.

His administration defended that these measures are undertaken to promote tourism and ensure the island's security.

Those opposed to the administration's decisions have launched a "#SaveLakshadweep" campaign on social media, to which some film personalities and celebrities have extended their support.