Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives. Retrieved from frontline.thehindu.com
India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, two environmentally sensitive archipelagos, have been at the centre of recent controversies. While Andaman and Nicobar are governed by a Lieutenant Governor, Lakshadweep falls under the rule of an Administrator. These territories have witnessed significant development activities that have raised concerns among experts and attracted the attention of the Supreme Court-appointed committees.
One cannot help but wonder how the situation would have unfolded if the Supreme Court had not intervened in these archipelagos. The administrations of Andaman and Nicobar, as well as Lakshadweep, have remained passive observers of these developments. The delayed implementation of crucial recommendations raises questions about their inaction.
These archipelagos are not just clusters of islands; they are home to people with legitimate rights over the land and surrounding seas. As a 75-year-old democracy, we expect fair administration from unelected individuals who are appointed by an indirectly elected President with limited powers. The present and future of these Union Territories, especially the environmentally fragile Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, heavily rely on the verdicts of India’s apex court and High Courts.