The Kerala Assembly Monday unanimously passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the current political unrest brewing in Lakshadweep. The resolution has demanded the removal of new Lakshadweep administrator Praful Khoda Patel.
The resolution, which has been moved against a series of measures adopted by the Lakshadweep administrator, states that “In the name of promoting tourism, the culture and essence of Lakshadweep itself is being negated.”
It adds that the people of the Union territory are themselves raising concerns over attempts to “encroach upon their cultural and specific features”.
The resolution tabled by CM Vijayan states that the Lakshadweep administration is “officially sabotaging the basic responsibility of protecting the lives of people”.
Claiming that the atrocities being committed in Lakshadweep are worse than during colonial rule, the Kerala CM has urged the Centre to ensure that the interests of the people of the UT are protected.
While presenting the resolution in the assembly, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Centre is “trying to implement saffron agenda and corporate interests in Lakshadweep”.
Opposition parties, INC and IUML, supported the resolution, suggesting amendments to directly attack the central government in the resolution. V D Satheeshan, the opposition leader of the assembly, said that the Saffron agenda of SanghParivar in Lakshadweep will be resisted at any cost. “After Kashmir, they (SanghParivar) went to Lakshadweep. Maybe Kerala is the next turn. We need to stand united against it.” Congress MLA Shafi Parampil had requested to the CM to pass this resolution earlier.
