The people of Lakshadweep started a 12-hour long hunger strike from 6 am on 7th June. This strike is being held in protest against the draft regulation implemented in the union territory. Following the Covid protocol, people demonstrated wearing masks and holding posters with slogans condemning the decisions of Administrator Praful Khoda Patel.
One family wrote on their banner, “We will not give up on our beautiful Lakshadweep. We will save democracy.”
Most of the political parties, including local BJP leaders, are taking part in this protest.
All shops will be closed on 7th June from 6 am to 6 pm and it is expected that no one will go fishing in the sea. Also, vehicles will not ply on the roads.
Demonstration on the island
A local person said, “Whatever affects peace cannot be called development. Every person and child of Lakshadweep will fight till death to save it.”
Another local said, “The leaders here have put us in this terrible situation.”
A person expressed anger against Collector Asker Ali. He said, “The collector and administrator should be called back. The peace of Lakshadweep should come back.”
Former Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac showed solidarity with the people on Twitter. He wrote, “For the first time in history, demonstrations are taking place across the island.”
Arrests before the demonstration
On the night of 6 June, Mujeeb, Sajid and Jamhar from Kavaratti island were taken into custody under section 269 of the IPC in violation of the Covid Quarantine Rules. It is alleged that all three were putting up posters announcing the demonstrations and hence were caught.
On June 5, 93 retired top civil servants of the country wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing Patel’s recent controversial decisions. In this letter written by the Constitutional Conduct Group, it has been said that he has no affiliation with any political party, but he believes in fairness and commitment to the Constitution of India.
The letter against the controversial draft read, “It is clear that these drafts are part of a much larger agenda, which is against the interests of this island and its soul. These decisions have been taken without consulting the people of Lakshadweep.”
Kerala-based Dr. Ashabi says, “The fishermen are upset because their equipment has been broken. The public is worried that their houses should be demolished. Students have poor connectivity and cannot attend online classes. Democratic rights have also been taken away.”
