All about draft regulations in Lakshadweep and protests against them

Residents of
the islands of Lakshadweep on Monday held hunger strike for over 12 hours – staging
demonstrations at homes, beaches and even under the sea – in opposition to a
set of regulations proposed by administrator Praful Khoda Patel.

Here is
everything you need to know about the rules and the agitations against it:

1. The
proposed regulations are related to tourism, cattle and panchayat elections. Administrator
Patel said the new rules will help the islands become a major tourism hub.

Also Read | PM Modi’s address to the nation | Watch the full coverage here

2. Patel is
also the administrator of the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
Daman and Diu.

3. Residents
claim that the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation (2021) will destroy
the unique culture and tradition of the islands, covered by pristine forests
and beaches, according to Hindustan Times. Nearly 95% of the 70,000 residents of
the islands belong to the scheduled tribe community.

4. The proposals
also include an Animal Prevention Regulation, which proposes a ban on the
killing of bovine animals along with a prohibiting the consumption, storage
transport or sale of cattle. The mostly Muslim population of the islands fear
the regulations are targeting their food habits.

5. Another
proposal being opposed is the Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulaiton, 2021, proposes disqualifying
those candidates who have more than two children from the gram panchayat elections.

6. The Prevention
of Anti-Social Activities, a draft detention law, gives Lakshadweep’s
administration powers to detain anyone for up to a year.

7. These new
regulations have drawn widespread criticism, with a number of political parties
backing their opposition. The Kerala assembly has been one of the biggest
supporters of the opposition to the proposals, passing a unanimous resolution
to recall the administrator on May 31.

8. In a
letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, a group of 93 former civil
servants expressed “deep concern” over the “disturbing developments” in the
islands.

9. While
highlighting that no such provisions have been introduced in north-east states or
even in neighbouring Kerala, the group urged PM Modi to ensure an appropriate
development model is finalised in consultation with the residents of the
islands.

10. Union Home
Minister Amit Shah has said the new draft laws will not be finalised without
consulting local representatives.