Kerala HC Stays 2 Lakshadweep Reform Decisions

The News Cover: Praful Khoda Patel is Lakshadweep’s new Administrator. He had introduced many new laws in the union territory. Ajmal Ahmed R is an advocate at the Kerala High Court and executive member of the Lakshadweep a Bar Association. He filed a PIL in the Kerala High court against Praful Khoda Patel's laws stating that these decisions were made on "hidden and mischievous personal agenda" and violated the islanders' rights. Kerala High Court on The 22nd June stated that two decisions to be kept on hold and no further action should be taken on these. The first one is the removal of chicken, beef, meat etc from the island group's school menu and the second one is the closing down of dairy farms in the Union Territory. 

These decisions were made by Mr. Praful and have been kept on hold now. Court has asked Mr. Praful to inform the next plan of action. After the reply, the court will further decide on the matter. Mr. Ajmal said in his PIL stated, people have their specific eating habits. This is nothing but interfering with the rights of the island people. Mr. Praful has drafted the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation (LDAR) which in the name of development, building bridges, etc has some shocking rules. The islanders have their own properties, however, while planning the development of the island, building a bridge or a mall or another structure, if the property is in the way of the planning, it allows authorities to take over any property without any discussions in the name of building infrastructure. In its current form, the LDAR keeps local islanders out of decision-making processes. 60 scientists written to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking his intervention as Lakshwdeep is a beautiful natural island, and approving the LDAR will damage its flora and fauna and marine life due to mining, etc. 

Hence 60 scientists have written to President seeking his intervention to withdraw the draft LDAR. Ayesha Sultana is an actor and a filmmaker, and is also an islander. You would be aware that during an interview in Kerala she had spoken against Praful Khoda and stated that in order to get the rules passed, they had used bioweapon against the people of Lakshadweep. She was called by the Lakshwdeep police for questioning. You must be aware that to control the spread of the virus, people coming from outside Lakshwdeep have to quarantine. Ayesha Sultana was exempted from the quarantine provision only for the purpose of interrogation, However, District Collector S Asker Ali, said that Ms. Sulthana, broke all corona norms After the questioning, as per rules, Ayesha had to return back and not roam around. But Ayesha broke the norms. In Lakshwdeep there is First-Line Treatment Centre for covid-19 patients. Shockingly, Ayesha visited the hospital and interacted with COVID-19 patients.