Lakshadweep Changes, Blamed On New Administrator, Trigger Outcry

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said "stop the rot", referring to the major changes brought in Lakshadweep by its new administrator Praful Patel.

A large section of Kerala, including celebrities, politicians, social media users, and the general public, is angry or wary about some of the changes brought about by the Union Territory's newly-appointed Administrator, Praful K Patel. The tweaks he has brought about since taking over in December 2020 are destructive and "target" its largely Muslim population, many of them allege, seeking his recall. The BJP has, however, said they were only meant to end "corrupt practices" of politicians. I first raised this issue on Feb 9, prompted by my ex-MP friend below. Today the protests have become a storm: https://t.co/XUHiH31aCoThe Govt has to intervene. We are destroying a peaceful part of the country where peace, communal harmony &cal reigned undisturbed. Stop the rot! https://t.co/IwEq0KXnMC Several leaders from Kerala have written to the Centre and even President Ram Nath Kovind, citing the traditional ties between the island group and Kerala. "The news from Lakshadweep is very serious. The situation there poses a challenge to the life and culture of the people inhabiting in the island. Such moves are unacceptable," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today during his daily press briefing. "We know Lakshadweep and Kerala have a connection since long. All over Kerala, we can see students from Lakshadweep. As per news reports, now there is a deliberate, malicious attempt to distort this connection. This is part of narrow interest. It is condemnable," he said.