The beautiful land fascinating islands of Lakshadweep, which hold the place of pride in the blue waters of the Arabian Sea, are counting their worst days. After destruction of Jammu and Kashmir and complete alienation of its inhabitants, the fascist forces are out to end the achche din of this serene archipelago.
Lakshadweep is the most peaceful Union Territory inhabited by about 70,000 people, 95% of them Muslims, who believe in preserving ecology and respecting each other. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau), Lakshadweep has almost nil crime record.
Usually an IAS personnel is appointed here as administrator. But this time the BJP government has broken the time-tested tradition and chosen to appoint a politician Praful K. Patel, who perfected his skills under none other than Modi, as his home minister in Gujarat. The newly appointed administrator has a detailed programme to stir the serene waters by introducing a host of measures to change Lakshadweep into a tourist recreation hub by handing it over to crony capitalists and selfish developers.
Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Sharad Pawar and several chief ministers, including M.K. Stalin of Tamil Nadu and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala have urged PM Modi to recall the administrator Praful Patel who is bent upon ‘thrusting anti-people laws’ in the Union Territory. Mr. Stalin alleged that “the administrator is forcibly thrusting the anti-people laws to alienate the Muslims living there”. He reminded that the strength of the country lies in pluralism. Mr. Rahul Gandhi objected to the changes brought by Mr. Patel in the “guise of development and maintaining law and order in a low-crime Union Territory”. He said that these changes have been brought without consulting people and the elected representatives.
It is being objected why Mr. Patel is bent upon introducing what is popularly known as “Goonda Act” in the crime-free islands. Why he is introducing in the Muslim majority territory alcohol, which he hails from Gujarat which is a dry-state. Why in the name of protection of cows he is banning beef when it is allowed in BJP-ruled Goa and all north-eastern States. Is it the intention of the ruling dispensation to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the Islands and turn it into a disturbed area to impose curfew and finally deprive it of its Lok Sabha seat by merging it with some other Union Territories?
The above apprehensions are not without basis as India knows the style of functioning of the fascist groups. It was seen happening in several states which were disturbed by these forces. At present it is being witnessed in West Bengal in a big way. There are even talks in some media circles that Bengal may be divided by hook or by crook into three States. They are openly suggesting that Bengal should be given the same treatment which was given to Jammu & Kashmir.
We can only pray to God Almighty to give good sense to the ruling regime to take pity on the second largest concentration of humans on earth and save plural Bharat from disorder and disintegration. He is the Protector of our country and to Him we turn for help.