Kerala government revokes order restricting scientists' comments on Wayanad landslides
What's the story
The Kerala State Government has rescinded a contentious order from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) that had previously barred scientists and experts from visiting and publicly discussing the recent landslides in Wayanad. The landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall early Tuesday, resulted in over 300 deaths, with Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages being the hardest hit. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan labeled the order as "misleading" and instructed the state's chief secretary to retract it immediately.
Order's purpose
Chief Secretary's clarification
State Chief Secretary Dr Venu clarified that the order was not designed to hinder scientific studies or insights. Rather, it aimed to prevent potential misinterpretations or misquotations of statements by scientific institutions that could incite panic and confusion among the public. He also talked about the "importance of scientific studies" in understanding climate change challenges, but also stressed the need to avoid causing widespread panic due to misunderstood statements.
Criticism voiced
Scientific community, BJP criticize restrictive order
The order faced strong opposition from the scientific community and was also criticized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP MP Tejasvi Surya alleged on social media that "emergency & censorship come naturally to communists," implying that the state government was attempting to conceal its negligence regarding early warnings about the region's landscape sensitivity. Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, another BJP leader, accused the government of hypocrisy and double standards.