The landslide that struck Wayanad three months ago was one of the biggest natural disasters that the country witnessed in recent times. Landslides swept through Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions, destroying everything in their path, claiming over 300 lives in an instant, and leaving a trail of devastation. More than 500 houses were destroyed, while agricultural lands, roads, and other infrastructure were left irreparably damaged. Prime Minister, who visited the landslide-hit regions on the 10th day after the disaster, returned to Delhi after promising all help to recover Wayanad. He reiterated this assurance during the meeting attended by state ministers and senior officials, and later when he met the media. However, the letter that the state government received from the Centre the other day shows that those promises and assurances were not even worth the price of paper.

The Kerala government has been pressing the Centre to declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster and announce a financial package for the rehabilitation of affected people. The Kerala High Court also intervened and directed the Centre to clarify its stance on the matter. The Centre ultimately responded and informed the state through a letter that the existing norms do not allow Wayanad landslides to be considered as a national disaster! This cruel approach by the Centre came as a huge blow to the state which has been hoping for central assistance. Rules and norms are made by governments. The central government stated that, as per regulations, landslides in Wayanad are classified as just one among twelve disasters, and it is the responsibility of the state government to address them.

The Centre also made a startling claim that the disaster relief fund allocated to the state has sufficient funds to address the Wayanad disaster. This will be around Rs 388 crore. The state had submitted a Rs 2000 crore package to the Centre, as per the Prime Minister's directive, for Wayanad's rehabilitation. However, instead of addressing this, the central government is deceiving the state with the argument that there is sufficient balance in the disaster relief fund. It may be true that guidelines have been established for disasters. If the current guidelines do not cover it, the Centre must make a special consideration, and grant special assistance to the state. Doing so will not cause the nation to go bankrupt overnight. The Centre should not approach such disasters with political criteria.

When natural disasters like floods occur in states ruled by the BJP's allies at the Centre, the central government often rushes to offer assistance even without the states asking for it. States such as Bihar, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are some of those that have received such assistance from the Centre.

At the same time, the Centre is showing discrimination in allocating special assistance to Kerala despite constant requests for help. The Centre should not show such an approach towards any state. If current regulations do not allow the Centre to provide financial assistance to Kerala, it can provide special assistance to the state under the special aid category. Regardless of classification, the people of Wayanad expect emergency aid. The Centre also has the responsibility to give them a helping hand in such a situation. When a large section of people that has lost everything pleads for help, dismissing their cries by citing rules and guidelines is nothing but inhuman. The Prime Minister should revisit the assurances he gave to the affected people during his visit to Wayanad.