One-Hour ‘Coconut Leaf’ Strike

This happened in Lakshadweep in India.  To protest Administrator Praful Patel’s order to levy a fine if coconut palm leaves or waste are left on the plots, Lakshadweep islanders decided to organize a dharna (a peaceful demonstration) on Monday, June 28, according to The New Indian Express report on the same day.  As part of the strike, residents across the islands agreed to sit for an hour from 9 AM on top of a heap of coconut palm leaves holding placards against the controversial order. 

“It is a strange order in every sense. We knew that Lakshadweep is a land of coconut trees. But the order says we cannot burn or bury the solid waste from coconut trees on our house premises. The administrator wants us to transport the waste to designated centers to burn it,” AI Muthokoya, a resident of Androth island.  “The order from the administrator, if coconut leaves or other waste is seen lying in the plot, is to levy a hefty fine between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 (USD13-26),” he said, adding that the strike was in protest over the strange rule.