Island in flux: CPI Rajya Sabha MP moves privilege motion against Lakshadweep administration

New Delhi: Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam on Thursday wrote to the secretary-general of the Upper House to move a privilege motion against the administration of the Union Territory Lakshadweep for allegedly denying him the permission to visit the island.

"The action of the Lakshadweep Administration indirectly denying the permission for my visit to the UT is undemocratic as it prevents me from meeting with common people, consulting with my party workers, and talking to the authorities. It constitutes a breach of an MP's parliamentary privilege and appropriate action against the concerned authority must be taken," Mr Viswam said.

The CPI leader said he had written to the Lakshadweep administrator Praful K Patel on May 26 seeking permission to visit the UT. However, after five days, the Additional District Magistrate of Kavaratti replied that he must schedule his visit to a later date owing to the COVID-19 situation.

"For the administration to now use the cover of COVID-19 to prevent elected representatives visit the island to address the grievances of the people, is most undemocratic and an abuse of power on the part of the administration," the MP said.

Mr Viswam said the UT administration has passed several orders which are controversial and can affect the social, economic, and cultural lives of the inhabitants.

He also criticised the administration for allowing the transmission of COVID-19 infection in the second wave in the islands which were free from the virus and under green zone until them.

The new Lakshadweep administrator Mr Patel has passed several orders for banning beef, allowing liquor, imposition of Goonda act, acquiring of land and building tourism spots, inviting severe criticism, repulsion, and protests from the inhabitants which are mostly Muslims.

As per the locals, the new laws will populate their culture and ruin the ecology and environment of the islands.

However, as per the administration, the new laws will transform UT into a tourist destination and attract people like in Male.(UNI)