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Lakshadweep, known for its pristine beaches and biodiversity, is in the middle of massive political turmoil. A set of regulations proposed by the Union Territory’s new administrator Praful Khoda Patel has caused widespread resentment and fear among its residents. Patel is the first non-bureaucrat administrator of the Union Territory.

The controversial proposals range from a ban on beef in a place the meat is widely consumed, disqualification of people with more than two children who wish to contest the village council elections, to taking over land belonging to the locals for the purpose of development. The administration says it is part of a series of reforms it intends to carry out to promote tourism.

The island administration has demolished huts erected by fishermen along the coastline. Critics see the new regulations as a threat to the cultural identity of the locals and the island’s ecology.

The archipelago, with a population of 65,000 people, remained coronavirus-free throughout 2020 because of the strict protocols. But all of that changed. The administration changed the protocol in January by allowing entry into the islands with a negative RT-PCR report obtained 48 hours before their travel. The islands now have 2,200 active cases and have reported nearly 30 deaths.

Patel also introduced the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Regulation which empowers the administration to hold anyone in detention without trial for up to one year. The regulation has angered the locals, which has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

Opposition parties have termed the regulations as draconian orders and have sought recall of Patel as the
administrator of the Union Territory. Can threatening the balance and disrupting the way of life become acceptable means of progress?

Although the Kerala High Court has declined to stay the implementation of the draft regulation, the local population needs to be taken into confidence.