Lakshadweep erupted in protest over the series of laws proposed for the islands. The opposition is aimed at new administrator Pratul Khoda Patel, who is close to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Patel has been rigorous in pushing the changes, as he had done during his tenure as administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. The earlier administrators at Lakshadweep were retired bureaucrats who engaged with the locals.
Following the controversy on the islands, the government went into damage control. The Union territory administration stated that the proposed changes were done to provide a safety net for tourism activities. But it impressed no one. The BJP’s state leaders were rattled as several leaders resigned, fearing it would be difficult to engage with the closely knit society that has a population of just over 65,000 (Census 2011). The islands had earlier witnessed anti-CAA protests, and so, the opposition to the new rules was treated as an extension of that.
Home Minister Amit Shah had to finally step in. A BJP delegation including party in-charge of Lakshadweep A.P. Abdullakutty and Lakshadweep party chief Abdul Khadar Haji first met BJP chief J.P. Nadda, and then Shah. The home minister also separately met Lakshadweep’s member of parliament, Mohammed Faizal P.P. of the NCP.
Faizal said that while he sought the removal of Patel as administrator, Shah assured him that the changes in the proposed regulations would be carried out only after consulting local residents. “The notification will be sent back to Lakshadweep for scrutiny among panchayats and local people,” said Faizal. “Their views will be considered.” While Faizal’s opinion will matter among the people, the BJP has also reassured its local unit. “He has given assurance to an MP,” said Faizal. “We will give due respect to the home minister’s word, and wait and see how his promises go in the future.”
Abdullakutty said that Shah told the BJP delegation that bureaucrats had created the proposal and the government would also give its suggestions. “We will collect people’s opinion, only then will it come before the ministry,” he said. BJP leaders say that opinion expressed within the party against the regulations showed the “democratic nature” of the party. The party’s claim is that the protests are being orchestrated from Kerala and not from within the islands. “In Kerala, the state assembly had earlier passed a resolution during CAA and demonetisation, like they have done now against the proposed regulations. They have turned the assembly into a public meeting ground,” said Abdullakutty.
Faizal said they would continue their protests against Patel. “He enacted laws that are against the ecologically sensitive islands,” he said. “All issues started when he took over. We will launch a non-cooperation movement against Patel.”