K. Vishwanathan Takes on South Zone Role in CJP, Says Andaman Issues Will Be Taken to Authorities
Sri Vijaya Puram:
K. Vishwanathan, who has recently been associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), spoke to Dweep Tulika about his new role, his reasons for associating with the organisation and his plans to raise issues concerning people in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In the interview, Vishwanathan said he was happy and energised by the opportunity, explaining that he had already been raising issues concerning the islands through his social media presence and intended to continue that work through his association with CJP. He said the wider network would give him an opportunity to take issues from the islands to authorities beyond the local level. Pasted text
Explaining His Understanding of CJP
Asked what CJP stands for, Vishwanathan described it as a pressure group focused on raising issues at the ground level and taking public concerns before the administration.
He said that issues he had previously highlighted through his own social media work — including roads, schools, corruption, village-level problems and medical concerns — were similar to the issues he associated with CJP's work. He also described the organisation's approach as using legal and democratic means to put pressure on authorities to address public concerns. Pasted text
Why He Decided to Associate With CJP
Vishwanathan said he first became interested in CJP after following its activities related to issues concerning young people and examination-related concerns.
According to him, he identified with what he described as the organisation's focus on youth and middle-class concerns. He said he had initially hesitated to formally associate with the organisation because of his existing responsibilities and the amount of time required for his own work.
He later decided that associating with a larger network could allow him to continue raising issues while reaching a wider audience. Pasted text Pasted text
Plans to Raise Public Issues From the Islands
A major part of the interview focused on how Vishwanathan intends to use his new association to raise local grievances.
He said a dedicated CJP Andaman social media presence had been created and invited residents to share genuine issues concerning their homes, villages, towns and panchayats.
According to Vishwanathan, complaints that appear genuine would first be taken to the appropriate authorities. He specifically mentioned approaching the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary and other concerned authorities where necessary. If issues remained unresolved, he said they could subsequently be taken through the wider CJP network. Pasted text
He identified several areas of concern, including roads, water supply, medical facilities, electricity, network connectivity, education and alleged corruption. Pasted text
Appeal to Citizens to Raise Their Own Voice
Vishwanathan also urged citizens not to depend entirely on others to fight for their rights.
He encouraged people to acquire knowledge, understand their rights and take appropriate steps when they believe something is wrong. Referring to education as an important source of empowerment, he stressed the need for citizens to study and become aware of their rights and responsibilities. Pasted text
He also advised residents with grievances involving government departments or public officials to follow formal procedures, including submitting written complaints to the appropriate authorities and maintaining documentation of their grievances. Pasted text
Concerns Over Misuse of Official Power
During the interview, Vishwanathan also spoke about what he described as the misuse of power by officials.
He said that if a person holding public authority misuses the power entrusted to them or attempts to suppress citizens, people should document the matter and raise it through the appropriate higher authorities. Pasted text
His message, he said, was not simply for people to approach him first, but for citizens to develop the confidence and awareness to stand up for themselves.
“Andaman's Problems Can Reach Delhi”
Vishwanathan said that his new association would provide an additional channel through which issues originating in the islands could be taken beyond the local level.
He told viewers across the islands that problems from places including Nicobar, Kamorta, Katchal, Mayabunder, Rangat and Diglipur, as well as other parts of the territory, could be brought forward for discussion. Pasted text
He said the objective was to ensure that genuine public concerns receive attention at the appropriate level.
Focus on Education and Awareness
Education was another major theme of the interview.
Vishwanathan said that education and knowledge had helped him develop the confidence to speak openly about issues and encouraged viewers to study, gain knowledge and understand the systems through which grievances can be addressed. Pasted text
On His New Responsibility
Speaking about his new responsibility, Vishwanathan expressed gratitude to the CJP leadership and those who recommended his association with the organisation.
He said he viewed the role as a responsibility and expressed his intention to work with others to address issues concerning the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Pasted text
He also referred to ongoing efforts concerning school-related issues in the Diglipur area, saying that letters had been submitted to the administration and repair-related work was underway. Pasted text
A New Platform for Raising Island Issues
Vishwanathan's interview with Dweep Tulika comes as he begins his association with CJP and outlines how he intends to combine his existing public-issue advocacy with the organisation's wider network.
His stated focus includes raising public grievances, encouraging citizens to understand their rights, and taking genuine unresolved issues before the relevant authorities.
The views, claims and statements expressed in the interview are those of K. Vishwanathan and do not necessarily represent the views of Dweep Tulika.