Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 October 2024
In an incident on October 4, 2024, the Member of Parliament for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, was mistreated at the Raj Nivas gate, sparking outrage among residents and BJP supporters across the islands. The incident, which quickly gained traction on digital media platforms, involved the MP being denied entry to the Raj Nivas and subsequently resorting to a sit-in protest amid heavy rain.
Further aggravating the situation, Ray was reportedly denied access to a nearby toilet inside Raj Nivas Gate, leading him to relieve himself in public view. The images of the protest and this indignity have since circulated widely, prompting a wave of condemnation.
On October 5, 2024, Ray’s associates held a press conference at Praja Nivas, the MP’s Office, announcing a protest in the form of an Andaman-wide bandh on October 8, from 6 AM to 2 PM, as a direct response to the incident.
Adding to the political tensions, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued an internal message on social media, which outlined their stance on the matter. The message, addressed to party office bearers and members across the islands, emphasized that the mistreatment of their MP at the Raj Nivas would not go unanswered.
The message read: “On October 4, 2024, an unfortunate and uncalled-for incident took place at Raj Nivas, where our Member of Parliament, Bishnu Pada Ray, was badly mistreated when he tried to raise genuine issues before the authorities. He had to stage a sit-in protest under heavy rainfall in front of Raj Nivas. The BJP condemns such misadventures from the administration and will take appropriate and befitting action in due course.”
However, the message also acknowledged the cultural and religious significance of the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations. In the message, BJP State President Ajoy Bairagi urged party members not to disrupt public life during this period, stating that the party would support the festival and avoid any actions that could hurt the sentiments of devotees. Durga Puja is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the BJP has promised to ensure that the festival proceeds smoothly.
The party’s message added: “Soon after the Durga Puja festivities are over, the BJP will take decisive action to end the highhandedness of the Lt. Governor. Party members will be informed of the future course of action.”
This cautious approach appears to balance the BJP’s determination to confront the Lt. Governor with the need to respect the festive spirit of the islands. With Durga Puja being one of the most widely celebrated events in the region, the BJP is positioning itself as sensitive to the cultural sentiments of the people while signalling a firm stand against what they perceive as administrative overreach.
BJP is unlikely to support the upcoming Bandh on 8th October 2024, as BJP has made it clear that their fight against the alleged mistreatment of their MP will with be initiated with full force after the Durga Puja celebrations conclude.
As tensions simmer between the island’s administration and the BJP, all eyes are on the party’s next moves and how they will address the issue of governance in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands once the religious festivities are over.