After a huge political uproar over the new rules in Lakshadweep, now the residents of the archipelago are up in the arms.
Lakshadweep residents are on a 12-hour hunger strike on Monday to protest against three proposed rules governing tourism, cattle and panchayat elections.
The Save Lakshadweep Forum, a body floated to channelise mounting protests against the rules, said local residents will fast in their homes and all shops and establishments, except emergency services, will stay closed from 6 am to 6 pm during the first major protest.
The locals fear the new rules brought in by administrator Praful Patel will destroy the unique culture and tradition of the island. The forum alleged that though they were ‘assured repeatedly that local sentiments will be heard and addressed, the administrator is going ahead with his partisan and retrograde decisions’