'India Gave Befitting Reply To Maldives': Lakshadweep Administrator On Row Over PM Modi Remarks
Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel said that India gave a befitting reply to Maldives on the row over objectionable remark against PM Modi by three of its deputy ministers.
Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel on Monday said that India gave a befitting reply to Maldives after three of its deuty ministers made objectionable remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to NDTV on the row involving Maldives, Patel said, "India will never tolerate such an insult (and) the entire country showed solidarity with the Prime Minister."
He also waved away talk of demanding a public apology from Maldives saying that the concerned ministers have been disciplined.
"We are not going to talk about it (a public apology)... our values are different... they did not need to make such comments. They have been punished by the government for their actions," he said. "From Bollywood celebrities to cricketers as well as ordinary people... India has given a befitting reply to the Maldives," Patel said.
On being asked if he would welcome Maldivians to Lakshadweep, Patel said, "This is our country's tradition. If they want to come, appreciate our beauty and are happy, it will make us happy too. What's wrong in it. Definitely, they should come."
Lakshadweep Being Discussed All Over World: Patel
The Lakshadweep administrator said that following the visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the archipelago is being discussed not just in India but all over the world.
"After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, Lakshadweep is being discussed not just in India but all over the world," Patel said, according to PTI.
He said several initiatives are being taken to promote tourism in the Indian archipelago which includes construction of additional rooms and plans afoot for a big airport.
"The kind of inquiries the Lakshadweep administration is getting after the prime minister's visit is unbelievable. People from all over the world are expressing the desire to visit the island. This will give a big boost to its economy and generate opportunities for locals," Patel said in Daman, as per the report.
"The natural beauty of Lakshadweep carries immense possibilities for development of the tourism sector. The administration has launched several initiatives, including adding more rooms. The islands will also get a big airport soon," he added.
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Criticism In The Past
Patel has, however, faced stringent criticism in the past over a slew of regulations that he intended to bring to the islands to develop it like Maldives.
In 2021, Patel had introduced the draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation which drew sharp criticism from several quarters, including from some members of BJP Yuva Morcha, for being "anti-people".
As per the draft regulations, the administration could "declare any area to be a planning area" on the archipelago.
The draft regulation would have also allowed the administrator to acquire any land required for a public purpose under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
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