Kerala CM Orders Withdrawal of Controversial Notice Restricting Comments By Scientists on Landslides, State Chief Secy Clarifies

Amid the severe landslide conditions in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday directed Chief Secretary V Venu to withdraw a controversial note issued by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), which restricted science and technology institutions in the state from sharing their opinions and study reports with the media.

In a statement on Thursday night, the CM said that the news regarding the SDMA directing scientific institutions and scientists to not visit the disaster-affected Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad and to not express their opinions was misleading.

“The state government does not have such a policy," Vijayan said.

“The chief secretary has been directed to immediately intervene and withdraw the communication that conveyed such a message," he added.

The Chief Secretary of the Government of Kerala also soon issued a statement clarifying that this advisory was ‘not issued with an intent to restrain the scientific community of the state from conducting studies and providing insights. ‘

He further said that the advisory was issued to ‘discourage statements and opinions by persons belonging to scientific institutions of the state, that may be misinterpreted or misquoted to create panic and confusion among the public, particularly during this sensitive time. ‘

The scientific community in the state had earlier strongly protested against the note prepared by State Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Tinku Biswal which directed all science and technology institutions in the state not to undertake any field visits to Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad, where several people were killed in the devastating landslides on Tuesday.

The note had stated that the scientific community should restrain themselves from sharing their opinions and study reports with the media.

It also said that prior permission from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) was required to undertake any studies in the disaster-affected area.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Tejasvi Surya took to his official X account criticising the now-withdrawn note and called it an ‘atrocious’ order.

The massive landslides struck Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday morning, killing at least 291 people and injuring many.

(with PTI inputs)