Lakshadweep protests: 8 BJP youth wing leaders resign over administrator's 'anti-people' decisions

Praful K Patel (Image :@prafulkpatel)

Eight leaders of the Lakshadweep unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP, have resigned in protest against decisions taken by administrator Praful Khoda Patel, accusing him of destroying peace and tranquility in the Union Territory.

Among those who quit are BJYM unit secretary PP Mohammad Hashim, state general secretary MC Muthukoya, former state vice president B Shukoor, former state treasurer I Mohamood and BJYM members Anwar Hussain N, Afsal N and Ramees N. The resignations were sent to BJP vice-president AP Abdullah Kutty

READ: Save Lakshadweep campaign: What is it about? Key questions answered

Opposition leaders have written President Ram Nath Kovind and the Centre alleging that Patel, who took over as the administrator five months ago, unilaterally introduced norms including mandatory acquiring of private property for development, removing beef from the mid-day meal and two-child norm for contesting local body elections without consulting the people.

The Congress, CPI(M) and Muslim League have opposed the decisions and demanded Patel's recall accusing him of trying to “saffronise the island”, where almost 95 percent of the population is Muslim.

Patel, a former minister of state for home in Gujarat, was asked to officiate as the administrator after the death of Dineshwar Sharma in December 2020

Islanders have launched a "Save Lakshadweep campaign" to protest against the measures taken by Patel. Several film personalities and artists have lent support to the protest.