Want to visit Lakshadweep? Here’s why even Indians need permission

Interested in visiting the beautiful island of Lakshadweep?

Despite being Indian, you’ll need a permit from the authorities.

But why is this so? And why is there interest in Lakshadweep?

Let’s take a closer look:

A history of Lakshadweep

First, let’s take a look at Lakshadweep.

The archipelago is in the Laccadive Seas off the coast of Kerala.

Legend puts the earliest settlers on these islands to the period of Cheraman Perumal – Kerala’s last king of Kerala.

Perumal is said to have fled his kingdom in modern-day Kochi after converting to Islam at the urging of some Arab merchants.

A search party for Perumal led to sailors stumbling upon the islands of Bangaram, Agatti and Amini.

The arrival of the Portuguese in India was a turning point – it made Laccadives a vital spot for sea farers.

The Portuguese, who began looting ships, are said to have been repelled by being poisoned.

Some of the islands were annexed by the British East India Company in 1799 and were governed from Mangalore.

By 1854, all the remaining islands were handed over to the East India Company.

India established the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands as a Union Territory in 1956, as per The Times of India.

It was later renamed Lakshadweep in 1973.

Comprising 36 islands with an area of 32 square kilometres, it is India’s smallest Union Territory.

Its capital Kavaratti is also its principal town.

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It has 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands.

If you’re planning to take a trip to Lakshadweep, you should go via Kochi.

As per The Times of India, you can take flights to Agatti – which has the only airstrip – six days a week.

From there, you can book passage to Kavaratti and Kadmat.

However, if you’re planning to go via ship, you have seven options – MV Kavaratti, MV Minicoy, MV Amindivi, MV Corals, MV Lagoon, MV Lakshadweep Sea, and MV Arabian Sea.

The trip takes between 14 and 18 hours.

As per News18, if you’re planning to visit Lakshadweep, you would do well to apply in advance

Permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis.

Peak season is between October and March.

Why is entry restricted to Indians?

As per CNBC, the island rules state that all persons barring Lakshadweep residents need permission from the authorities to enter under the Restriction on Entry and Residence Rule 1967.

Only government officials and members armed forces and their families are exempted from getting permission.

This is because the authorities want to protect Scheduled Tribes – who comprise around 95 per cent of the populace.

The permit form, which is available at epermit.utl.gov.in, should be duly filled in and submitted to the Lakshadweep Administration.

The application fee is Rs 50.

As per News18, you also have to pay a heritage fee of Rs 100 for children aged between 12 and 18 and Rs 200 for those above 18.

Indians also require a Police Clearance Certificate from the Commissioner of Police of their district.

A self-attested photocopy of the ID card and three passport-size photographs are also required.

Booking confirmation from hotel or resort and travel documents are also needed, as per News18.

Upon receiving the permit, visitors will need to submit it upon arrival.

Foreign tourists need to have a valid passport and an Indian visa.

Why the interest in Lakshadweep?

The interest in Lakshadweep comes in the backdrop of the row between India and the Maldives.

The row kicked off after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep last week.

Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the… pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024

While Modi made no mention of the Maldives, social media users in that country made derogatory remarks against the prime minister.

Three deputy ministers of the Maldives government also criticised Modi – inferring that it was an attempt to project the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.

The government of Maldives has since suspended three deputy ministers and distanced itself from them.

According to Maldivian media reports, deputy ministers in the youth ministry, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, have been suspended over their posts.

The Maldivian foreign ministry said the government is aware of “derogatory remarks” on social media platforms against foreign leaders and that the personal views do not represent its position.

“The government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the government of Maldives,” the Maldivian foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

India has conveyed its strong concerns to Maldives over remarks posted on social media against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a number of ministers of that country.

New Delhi on Monday summoned the country’s envoy.

The remarks by the ministers have drawn a backlash in India with many celebrities urging people on X to explore domestic tourist destinations instead of going to the Maldives.

There were also posts on social media claiming that some Indians are cancelling their scheduled trip to the Maldives in view of the row.

With inputs from agencies