Lakshadweep Island is a group of 36 islands
which is known for its heavenly beauty in the Laccadive Sea off the coast of
Kerala.This group of island is truly India's precious gems.
The area is well known for its level of
biodiversity wildlife and nature that can be seen here and cannot be found
anywhere in India.
Lakshadweep and Andaman Nicobar Islands are
truly blessed with nature. The Lush green trees and enchanting Blue water makes
this Island a perfect place to relax and calm. In the lap of coral reef and
ocean this green Island which had been a center of attraction to tourist.But
presently this Island is now in danger.
You would be astonished but it is true that
this land is now in dire need hotspot to preserve the serenity of the area but
what are the dangers to this land?
To understand the danger first of all we
have to understand the politics of the area.
Politics
of Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep is the smallest territory that does
not have a legislative assembly or chief minister. The entire political framework
of Lakshadweep revolves around three levels only.
First there is an MP in Lok Sabha from
Lakshadweep secondly there are local self-government in Lakshadweep in the form
of panchayats. Third there is an administrator appointed by the president
This administrator is responsible for
governance of the entire Lakshadweep Island. 20-20 the administrator of
Lakshadweep was Dineshwar Sharma who was an IPS officer.
Moreover the post of administrator was
always handled by a well-educated IAS or IPS officer. So it was generally a
position given to bureaucrats.
Praful
K. Patel
But on 4 December 2020 dineshwar Sharma
part away. After that instead of an IAS or IPS a politician was appointed as
the administrator of Lakshadweep and
this politician is Prafulkhoda Patel.
Praful K Patel is one of the most
controversial politicians in India. This great personality has been alleged in
several cases. From Protest in Daman and Diu to MP Mohan Delkar suicide, this
politician has booked his role in many such cases.
Praful K Patel is the administrator of not
only Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu but also of Lakshadweep.
Changes
in Lakshadweep
Panchayat in the area of Lakshadweep is
considered as the base of political system in the area. But as Praful K Patel
came in power he snatched away the power of the panchayat from five different
areas the five areas were education healthcare agriculture animal husbandry and
fisheries.
Second new Panchayat regulation work
proposed that people with more than two children would now be ineligible to
contest election in Lakshadweep. According to locals the government is doing
this so that prominent politicians can be stopped from running in the elections
of Lakshadweep.
Covid-19
Spread on Island
Local alleged that Praful K Patel has spread Covid-19 on their Island. Last year when country was going through the first wave there was not a single case of corona virus on the Island. The reason behind this was stringent standard operating procedure.
As per this procedures
mandatory testing and strict Quarantine was alleged on the visitor.
When Praful K Patel became the administrator he changed the rules. The new guidelines stated that one needed only a negative RT-PCR test enters the Islands. Due to these rules the first case of Covid-19 was seen in January 2021.
Presently the island is suffering
brutally due to this pandemic there are more than 6000 cases out of which more
than 20 have lost their lives.
Anti-Goonda
Act
Normally if the police catch someone doing
anything wrong they arrest the people. The person has a trial in the court
decides if the person is guilty or not.
The new laws have been introduced in
Lakshadweep which is called the prevention of antisocial activities for the
Anti-Goonda Act. Basically it allows the detention of any person without public
disclosure for up to one year.
Crime rate of Lakshadweep is lowest in
entire country yet is there any need of such law? The laws are also anti-democratic.
According to locals this law is made by Praful Patel to jail those people who
would criticize his decision or protest against him.
Lakshadweep
Development Authority
Fifth is a new Lakshadweep development
authority was created. I.t is being said that it will become easier to sell
Lakshadweep land to big corporate and lead a drastic impact on the biodiversity
and aqua life of the area.
Moreover a video of fisher also got viral
who told that on the name of development how Praful Patel has demolished the
houses of fishers.
In defense of all these laws Praful Patel
says that he want to develop a smart city on Lakshadweep.
Liquor
Unban
Under the leadership of Praful Patel liquor
has also been made legal in thus area. Earlier there was only bar but now as
per the rules by Praful, liquor is going to be legal on this island.
The decision to ban alcohol in the islands
was taken by the government of India to preserve its culture. Its fragile
ecosystem too would probably get affected with the ban being lifted and
drinking could increase the risk of health issues.
A high chance of domestic violence against women because of the open distribution of liquor should also be looked upon in a male prioritized society like Lakshadweep.
But do you feel that is there any need of
such laws in the area which has high literacy rate and low crime ratio?Lakshadweep
Island is a world of on it's on.We all have to protect this this gem of India
to be captured into the vicious circle of poor policies and bad judgments.
Lakshadweep Island have always been
prosperous and is in no need of any major change so instead of implementing
such useless laws the government should work
on protection of biodiversity of island. Moreover to safeguard the democracy
and serenity of this land we have to take steps and raise up voice.
Written by – Ashwin Karle
Edited by – Adrija Saha
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