Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention in the events at Lakshadweep. The letter focused on how the anti-people policies announced by the administrator of Lakshadweep is threatening the future of the Union Territory.
The letter accused the draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation of undermining ecological sanctity of the islands and safeguards on land ownership, and severely limiting legal recourse available to affected persons. Livelihood security and sustainable development are being sacrificed for short term commercial gains.
The administrator’s attempt to undermine the islands’ ecological sanctity is evident in the draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, Gandhi said in his letter.
Under the guise of development and maintaining law and order in a low crime union territory, the draconian regulations penalise dissent and undermine grassroots democracy, his letter read.
Underscoring that Lakshadweep’s pristine natural beauty and culture have drawn people for generations, he said the future of its people is threatened by the anti-people policies announced by the administrator of Lakshadweep, Shri Praful Khoda Patel.
Gandhi in his letter said the new administrator has also proposed changes to regulations like the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation, the Lakshadweep Animals Preservation Regulation and lifting of restrictions on sale of alcohol and termed them a deliberate assault on the cultural and religious fabric of the local community.
The provision in the draft Panchayat Regulation that disqualifies members with more than two children is blatantly anti-democratic, the letter read.
I request you to intervene in this matter and ensure that the above mentioned orders are withdrawn. The people of Lakshadweep deserve a developmental vision that respects their way of life and reflects their aspirations, Gandhi wrote.
Gandhi had tweeted about Lakshadweep yesterday as his party continued to slam the restrictions imposed by the administrator and asked for his recall.
Lakshadweep is India’s jewel in the ocean. The ignorant bigots in power are destroying it. I stand with the people of Lakshadweep, read Gandhi’s tweet.