The new Drafts give the administrator powers to remove us or relocate us from our own property. This is an attempt for a corporate land grab. These are islands; where will we go in such a situation? Save Lakshadweep.
Rakhanabi
Lakshadweep is a Union Territory and it is a tropical archipelago of 36 coral reefs in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Kerala, India. It has the lowest population in India, with just about 65,000 people inhabiting 10 of its 36 islands.
We live here peacefully. In such situation it is difficult to make sense of the proposed new drafts such as Goonda Act, Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA), and others. We are anxious, and dread these drafts because these obviously are not for our development; but to serve corporate interests.
The Beginning of Troubles
Trouble began with the replacement of a civil servant with a seasoned politician; and he began doing all these without any discussions with elected leaders. Within 5 months he raised 6 drafts. The main 3 laws show his authoritarian approach.
First, the creation of Lakshadweep Development Authority is fear-provoking. It empowers the administration to take over any land without consultation with the stakeholders. It gives the administrator powers to remove us or relocate us from our own property. This is an attempt for a corporate land grab. These are islands, and where will we go in such situation? That is why we are protesting.
Second is Anti-social Activities Regulation Bill 2021, which is something of Goonda Act; using which state can detain anyone without disclosing it to the public for up to a year. It takes away from us even the right to protest. When we protest or resist the administration for this kind of laws, they can arrest anyone under this act without an immediate trial.
The third is Lakshadweep Animal preservation and Regulation Act 2021, which prohibits slaughtering cows, by mandating a license for killing animals, which most likely will not be given for cows. We a have an agrarian lifestyle of using cow for agricultural work, for breeding, or for giving milk and meat. This law subverts it. The administrator is systematically working towards changing our lifestyle that is why he is making alcohol available in three more islands. Almost cent percent here are Muslims. We abhor alcohol; and this decision will totally change the ambiance here.
Population growth rate of Lakshadweep is far below that of national level. In such place how does one make sense of bringing new law called the draft Lakshadweep Panchayath Regulation 2021, which will ban parents with more than two children contesting local elections?
The administrator has been repeatedly saying that these drafts are for developing Lakshadweep. We are not protesting, or against development; but it must promote the development of the people. Administrator fired casual labourers from various official departments and shut down some schools and Anganwadis. Is this development? His excuse about shutting down of schools is that there is a shortage of teachers. More than 1000 students have finished D Ed/B Ed courses; and now they are unemployed.
Covid-19 Crisis
Until last December end, there was an SOP to prevent Covid-19 case in Lakshadweep. The SOP was followed by the people; and was credited to have helped our island stay Covid-19 free. The first covid case was reported on 18 Jan; 18 days after SOP was changed. Here we have only Community Health Centre, and not many hospitals to provide specialized healthcare. How many can an administration possibly airlift in an out of control eventuality. The administrator wasted the people’s yearlong effort.
As a student I couldn’t attend online class regularly due to low Internet connection here; the situation of many students are worse. I fear that we soon will face poverty. An Administration has enough to take care of. We need peace than development.
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