New Delhi: Many Bollywood celebrities including Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and others have asked their fans to promote domestic tourism and visit Indian islands like Lakshadweep for vacation. The appeal came following a controversial remark by a Maldivian politician mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the Lakshadweep archipelago and promoting Indian islands.
Akshay Kumar, who recently visited Maldives with his family wrote on X, “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. We are good to our neighbors but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I've visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism.”
Shraddha Kapoor too took to X and posted a picture of a beach of Lakshadweep and wrote, “All these images and memes making me super FOMO now. Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti (holiday). This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands.”
Salman Khan tweeted, “It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean and stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain (these islands are in India). @narendramodi.”
John Abraham too promoted tourism in Indian islands. He wrote, "With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go. #exploreindianislands.”
It is to be noted that Maldives is Indian celebrities' go-to holiday destination. Bipasha Basu is currently in the Maldives for her birthday, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Akshay Kumar, and Twinkle Khanna also were in Maldives for New Year celebrations.
Maldives-Lakshadweep Row
In one of his tweets, responding to a claim that PM Modi's move is a "big setback" for the Maldives and "will boost" tourism in Lakshadweep, Zahid Rameez, member of the Progressive Party mocked Indians and said that competing with the island nation for tourism was "delusional".
"The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall," said the Maldivian politician on X.
Rameez's response triggered a row on the microblogging site with many sharply criticising him and as a result "#BoycottMaldives' started trending on the social media platform.