Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – The Kerala government has withdrawn a controversial note directing scientists not to share their opinions and study reports on the Wayanad landslides with the media. The move came after widespread criticism from the scientific community and opposition parties.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clarified that the news about the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) directing scientific institutions not to visit Wayanad and not to express their opinions was misleading. He directed the chief secretary to withdraw the note.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had hit out at the Kerala government, with MP Tejasvi Surya alleging that the government was trying to censorship and silence the scientific community. “Emergency & censorship come naturally to communists,” Surya tweeted.
The scientific community had strongly protested against the note, saying it was an attempt to gag them and prevent them from sharing their expertise and knowledge.
The massive landslides in Wayanad on Tuesday killed at least 190 people and injured many, with nearly 200 people still missing. The Kerala government has faced criticism for its handling of the disaster.