Kerala Assembly likely to pass joint resolution supporting Lakshadweep people

The Kerala Legislative Assembly may pass a joint resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Lakshadweep, where the recent actions of the islands' administrator have catch flak.

Newly elected Speaker of the state Legislative Assembly MB Rajesh said on Thursday that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has proposed the proposal himself in view of the recent developments in the archipelago.

"The government will move the resolution in the ongoing session. I hope the opposition also will not have any objection and they will support it as many of its members have already raised such a demand.So, there is unanimity on the matter," he told PTI.

However, the date of the presentation of the resolution is yet to be decided, the Speaker added.

Protests have erupted in Lakshadweep, as well as in Kerala, over many of the decisions taken by the administration. Some of these controversial proposals include a ban on beef, disqualification of panchayat poll aspirants with more than two children, introduction of an anti-goonda Act, and the establishment of an authority with powers to acquire land for development purposes.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told media that the people of the state have strong sentiments regarding Lakshadweep. “It is most appropriate to ratify a resolution in the Assembly against the actions of the administrator,” he said.

Earlier, Congress legislator Shafi Parambil had sent a letter to the Speaker and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging them to move a joint resolution in the House expressing the state's solidarity with the islanders.

"What is happening in Lakshadweep is a cultural invasion to implement the Sangh Parivar agenda of the Central government," the Palakkad legislator alleged in the letter.