Three deputy ministers have been suspended by the Maldives government for making disparaging remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
Due to their remarks regarding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, three deputy ministers received disciplinary action.
A senior government official told Reuters on Sunday that Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, Malsha Shareef, and Mariyam Shiuna—all employed by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts—had received disciplinary action for their remarks made against Modi on social media.
The trio had disparaged Modi on social media site X, calling him a “terrorist,” “clown,” and “puppet of Israel” in reaction to a video that promoted travel to Lakshadweep, an Indian Union territory situated in the Arabian Sea.
Some in the Maldives perceived Modi’s visit as an attempt to lure visitors away from the well-known destination, which consists of 1,192 islands dotting the Indian Ocean and home to opulent resorts.
The matter was brought up with the Maldives government by the Indian High Commission, as per reports in the Indian media.
Several Bollywood artists and athletes from India voiced their displeasure with the remarks made by the Maldivian administration.
“Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists,” Akshay Kumar, a popular Indian actor said on X.
The Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday that it was aware of disparaging comments made on social media sites about foreign dignitaries and prominent figures.
The statement stated, “These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of the Maldives.”
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, a former president of the Maldives, denounced the use of “hateful language” against India.
“India has always been a good friend to Maldives and we must not allow such callous remarks to negatively impact the age old friendship between our two countries,” Solih said in a post on X.
Also read: In the Maldives, India might have lost some of its partnerships.
Mohamed Muizzu, the president of the Maldives, has ordered a probe, a top administrative official told AFP.
Since Indians make up the majority of international visitors to the Maldives, where tourism contributes over one-third of the country’s GDP, the source stated that Muizzu is worried about the consequences.
Days have passed since it was announced that President Muizzu will be visiting China. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that Muizzu will be in the nation on a state visit from January 8–12. China and India have been competing with one another for influence in the area.
