The Maldives government has taken action by suspending three deputy ministers from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, namely Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid.
Their suspension comes in response to derogatory remarks made about India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on social media. A senior government official confirmed this disciplinary measure, underlining the government’s stance against such comments directed at the Indian Prime Minister.
The three suspended deputy ministers, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, faced disciplinary action for referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in disparaging terms such as “clown,” “terrorist,” and “puppet of Israel” on the social media platform X. These comments were made in response to a video promoting tourism in Lakshadweep, an Indian Union Territory in the Arabian Sea.
In the Maldives, some interpreted Modi’s visit as an attempt to divert tourists from the globally renowned Maldives, known for its 1,192 islands in the Indian Ocean, adorned with luxurious resorts.
According to Indian media reports, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives raised the issue with the Maldives’ government. The Maldives government
Some Indian celebrities including Bollywood actors and sports stars expressed their discontent over the Maldives officials’ remarks.
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.
In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives acknowledged it was aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals.