Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, is witnessing a slow but steady erosion of its cultural and linguistic identity. A series of administrative decisions, spearheaded by Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel and backed by the central government, have sparked outrage among the local population, who view these moves as a direct assault on their freedom, rights, and heritage.
Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands, of which only 10 are inhabited. These islands are 220 to 440 kms off the coast of Kochi, the coastal city of Kerala. Until recently, people of Lakshadweep lived in peace without much involvement in national politics as it never affected their lives in any meaningful or drastic way.
Historically, Minicoy was under the rule of Maldivian kings before coming under the control of Arakkal Kingdom of Kannur in the 18th century. It was only in 1956, after Indian independence and the formation of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, that Minicoy was officially integrated into India. However, despite this political shift, the island retained its distinct Dhivehi influenced identity.
The people of Minicoy speak Mahal (also called Dhivehi or Mahl), which is a dialect of the Maldivian language and uses the same Thaana script.
All previous administrators appointed to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep were former IAS officers or civil servants. However, things started to change with BJP at the Centre. The danger of political appointees to a place like Lakshadweep, where there is no Assembly and which is directly governed by the Centre is
manifold.
The islanders could have never imagined the changes the appointment of Praful Khoda Patel as administrator would bring to their way of life.
The Centre gets to implement draconian laws as there is hardly any forum for the native Adivasis to voice their grievances. Natives feel that most of these regulations are being brought in because it is a Muslim majority territory with around 97 percent Muslim population.
The appointment of the new administrator was a rude shock for the islanders as it immediately became clear that, for the administration, the place mattered more than the people. The development of tourism was already on the agenda but with the present administrator, this move was being made without any regard for the fragile island ecosystem or the concerns of the natives.
The Disappearance of a Language: Erasing Mahal from Schools
The latest flashpoint in this growing conflict is the decision to exclude Mahal (Dhivehi), the indigenous language of Minicoy, from the school curriculum under the revised Three-Language Formula (TLF) introduced via NEP 2020 frameworks.
This came to global attention, because of a video posted by a Minicoy native, Mufeeduddin Monege (Muppi) on his Instagram. Speaking to 'The Maldives Journal',Mufeeduddin said this is an attempt to erase the culture of the Minicoy people and not an attack on the education system but an attack on their culture and their race.
He said these decisions will have a huge impact on society. The removal of Mahal from the education system would threaten Minicoy’s unique language heritage and contribute to its disappearance from the area. He said these decisions have created great unrest among the people of Minicoy
These are not a sign of development, he said, but are visible evidence of a systematic attempt to destroy culture. The people of Minicoy in particular describe these actions as forcing them to change their way of life to the mindset of the central government without respecting their unique identity.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Administrator, MP Hamdullah Sayeed (The Member of Parliament who represents the Lakshadweep) voiced the community’s anguish, citing the unconstitutional nature of this imposition.
“Arabic and Mahal are not merely academic subjects in Lakshadweep; they are integral to our cultural identity, community life, and early literacy,” the letter stresses, emphasizing that this decision violates fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Such as the right to conserve one’s language, the right to inclusive education, and the right to equality before the law.
Arabic is the language of religious instruction, and Mahal is the mother tongue of Minicoy islanders, the only indigenous language spoken there. The removal of these languages from the curriculum is seen not just as a curricular adjustment, but a symbolic erasure of an entire culture.
Protest against the new regulations proposed by the Administration of Lakshadweep --- Source: Mufeeduddin
Undemocratic Decision Making
The directive was issued abruptly on 14 May 2025, after schools had already closed for the summer. It came without any consultation with key stakeholders like teachers, parents, School Management Committees (SMCs), or elected local representatives. The timing and unilateral nature of the decision raise suspicions of calculated administrative overreach.
The letter from MP Sayeed points out how the Union Territory lacks a functioning Panchayat system. Thus, imposing such decisions without community consultation undermines the Lakshadweep Panchayats Regulation and Right to Education Act.
Students already enrolled in Arabic or Mahal from Classes I to IX are now expected to switch to entirely new languages, putting them at an educational disadvantage just as they approach critical board examinations.
The Larger Pattern of Suppression
The removal of Mahal from schools is just one part of a broader pattern of control being exercised by the Lakshadweep administration under Praful Patel.
- Land Seizure Powers through LDAR: The Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation (LDAR) gives the administration sweeping powers to acquire land for “development” projects. Locals fear this will lead to forced displacement, destruction of traditional settlements, and loss of community-owned land without consent or fair compensation.
- Imposition of the Goonda Act: This draconian law allows for preventive detention without bail for up to a year. In a region with low crime rates, residents see it as a tool to stifle dissent and intimidate those who oppose government decisions.
- Ban on Beef and Promotion of Alcohol: In a move that clashes directly with the predominantly Muslim population’s cultural and religious practices, the administration has banned beef and increased the availability of alcohol. These changes are seen as a direct provocation aimed at altering the region’s social fabric.
- Lack of Local Consultation: Major decisions have been made without consulting parents, teachers, elected representatives, or School Management Committees. In a Union Territory without an elected legislative assembly or functional panchayat system, these unilateral moves have further alienated the local population.
Together, these decisions represent more than just policy changes; they signal an attempt to rewrite the cultural, educational, and political landscape of Lakshadweep. For Minicoy, a community with its own language, identity, and traditions, these measures feel like an imposed erasure of who they are.
Protest against the new regulations proposed by the Administration of Lakshadweep --- Source: Mufeeduddin
Voices of Resistance
Since 2021, when the initial wave of these changes was introduced, protests have swept across the islands. The #SaveLakshadweep movement gained traction both online and on the ground. Citizens demand:- Reinstatement of Mahal and Arabic in the education system.- Revocation of draconian laws like the LDAR and Goonda Act.- Inclusive governance that respects the cultural and linguistic heritage of Lakshadweep.
MP Sayeed, echoing these demands, proposed a six-point recommendation, including suspending the 14 May order, restoring local language options in the curriculum, and aligning educational models with Kerala SCERT structures to ensure flexibility and inclusiveness.
A History of Marginalization
Minicoy’s people have long felt like outsiders in Indian policy frameworks. Historically, educational policies have prioritized Malayalam and Hindi, pushing Mahal to the margins. The recent curriculum change is the latest blow in a series of administrative neglects, reflecting a persistent disregard for the island’s cultural context.
Protest against the new regulations proposed by the Administration of Lakshadweep --- Source: Mufeeduddin
A Struggle for Identity and Rights
What is happening in Minicoy is not just about language; it is about who gets to decide what it means to be Indian. Is it a mainland identity imposed from above, or a mosaic of regional cultures thriving under the umbrella of constitutional protection?
By stripping away the very elements that define Minicoy's cultural soul, its language, its land, and its community participation, the administration is waging a quiet war against diversity. If not urgently reversed, these policies risk turning Minicoy into a cautionary tale of how cultural homogenization can masquerade as development.
As MP Hamdullah Sayeed warns, “The education system in Lakshadweep must not become a vehicle for cultural exclusion or academic disruption.” The time to act is now, before a rich heritage is lost to bureaucratic indifference.