The archipelago Lakshadweep has been in the spotlight since the administration tried to carry out some new reforms which Praful Khoda Patel refers to as his “development plan.” This plan is an attempt to enhance the tourism sector of the Union Territory and make it a luxury tourism destination but the new reforms have not been accepted well by the locals of the state, and this situation appears to be an opportunity for the Congress which does not want to miss a chance to step in.
On Saturday, the Lakshadweep Administration denied the entry permit applications of Congress lawmakers Hibi Eden and TN Prathapan, stating that their visit “for political activities” will “disturb” the peaceful atmosphere of the Union Territory. Intervention from an outside source would further worsen the situation, entry of the opposition congress MPs from Kerala visit is likely to cause further unrest and manipulation, according to the administration.
Denying the Congress lawmakers entry, the administration on Saturday termed their visit a planned effort to “disturb peaceful atmosphere” prevailing in Lakshadweep and said it can cause a possible “surge in COVID-19 cases”. The administration further added that the purpose of the visit of the MPs — “to understand problems faced by islanders due to new policies of administration” — appears to be a “political action,” as per a report by The Print.
Since last month there has been a huge uproar by the people against the Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel over the new reforms introduced by him, which many allege are against the interest of the islanders. The islanders are against legislations like Lakshadweep Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation, Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation, and Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation, 2021, among others.
Everything that is happening in Lakshadweep can be compared to what had been happening in J&K before 2019. Already, a global campaign to defame India for enforcing its rules over the UT with a 95 percent Muslim population seems to be well underway. There were false claims that Patel is trying to undermine the ‘Islamic character’ of Lakshadweep.
The levels of intolerance which have come to be reported out of Lakshadweep are indeed shocking. Trees painted in red and white are being falsely called saffron trees – after which Congress leaders and their lackey publications propagate the same lie to somehow convince equally braindead zombies of how the saffronisation of Lakshadweep is going on full throttle at the behest of the Sangh Parivar. Such falsehood and intolerance immediately remind one of the Kashmir of the late ’80s and ’90s, as reported extensively by the TFI.
History repeats itself. Just like Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were denied entry at the Srinagar Airport after the abrogation of Article 370, when MPs of Congress tried to meddle with the internal affairs of Lakshadweep, they were denied entry to the UT as well.
Lakshadweep could become a viable alternative to the Maldives when it comes to attracting tourists, but it still remains unutilised. Its vast marine mountain range could be compared to the Maldives and also, it is much cheaper to travel as well. Congress’ cheap tactics of politicising the whole situation and creating misunderstanding is nothing but a setback for India’s unexplored paradise and the tourism industry.
