The administrator who turned a 400-year-old chapel into a football field
In short: Praful Khoda Patel represents a rare shift in Indian governance: the transition from elected politician to appointed administrator. His tenure across various union territories has been marked by controversial land seizures, sudden policy shifts on local industries, and accusations of using administrative power for political retribution.
Praful Patel's political trajectory is rooted in his ties to Narendra Modi. After winning a seat in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in 2007, he became a key minister in 2010, inheriting several portfolios from Amit Shah while the latter was imprisoned. However, after losing his seat in 2012, Patel moved into a unique role as an appointed Administrator for union territories like Daman and Diu, and later Lakshadweep. This move is notable because such roles are typically reserved for Indian Administrative Service officers rather than active politicians.
His administration has faced intense scrutiny over land use and cultural preservation. In Daman, he was accused of ordering the demolition of homes belonging to adivasi fishing communities and NRI residents to facilitate development. These actions led to a 2019 protest where authorities converted high schools into 'temporary jails' to hold protesters. Furthermore, in February 2023, Patel sought to demolish a Catholic chapel over 400 years old to create a football field, sparking significant community opposition.
In Lakshadweep, Patel’s policies sparked accusations of a 'Hindutva agenda.' He ordered the closure of all local dairy farms—replacing them with imports from Gujarat-based Amul—and removed meat from school meal schemes. His administration also lifted alcohol restrictions and demolished coastal sheds. These moves were met with resistance from both opposition parties and some local BJP members. The tension reached a tragic peak in 2021 when tribal rights advocate Mohanbhai Sanjibhai Delkar committed suicide, leaving a note naming Patel as responsible for 'injustice' and 'bias.'
The controversy surrounding his leadership also extends to the integrity of democratic processes. In 2019, the Election Commission of India reprimanded Patel for issuing 'coercive' requests to election officials. Officials described his interference as an act of 'political vengeance' after a collector issued a notice against a politician who had violated the model code.
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