Boycott Maldives Trends As Politician Mocks PM Modi's Lakshadweep Visit: All You Need To Know

A row erupted on social media calling for a boycott of Maldives tours after Maldivian politician Zahid Rameez's objectionable remarks on PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit.

Maldivian politician Zahid Rameez whose objectionable remark triggered a row on X

Maldives trended on X (formerly Twitter) in India on Sunday for all the wrong reasons following a controversial remark by a Maldivian politician mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the Lakshadweep archipelago. Another post by a Maldivian minister also, which was deleted later also accelerated the row. 

Soon after a hashtag demanding a boycott of Maldives started on X and some social media influencers also joined the bandwagon. 

Later, the obejctionable remark by the Maldivian leader was condemned by the former Maldivian President Mohamed Nashed. 

How The Row Erupted

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. 

After the controversy, Rameez responded to another tweet saying, "While you’re at it, do remember how it all started. All of the tweets were posted after this disrespectful and unnecessary provocation. This government led by President @MMuizzu is nobody's puppet, be it China, India or any other country."

In another retweet, the Maldivian politician said he was born in India and had shared his thoughts through tweets. 

Another Maldivian politician, minister Mariyam Shiuna also made derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a now-deleted post following backlash.  

#Boycott Maldives Trends On X

Several social media users from India started the hashtag Boycott Maldives following remarks by Rameez and Shiuna. 

Mariyam Shiuna, a Deputy Minister in the Maldives govt, posted this insulting comment against PM Modi.

In her position mocking a democratically elected PM of a nation that has always helped the Maldives is beyond shameful.

Give her a befitting reply India by not holidaying in… pic.twitter.com/4Vj9VGbUjG

— 🦋Anjna🦋🇮🇳 (@SaffronQueen_) January 6, 2024

Former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra also took to X and posted: "‘India Out’ was a part of the manifesto. Maldives voted for it. Now, it’s up to us, Indians, to choose wisely. I know that my family will. Jai Hind".

‘India Out’ was a part of the manifesto. Maldives voted for it.
Now, it’s up to us, Indians, to choose wisely. I know that my family will.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 6, 2024

Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Other Stara Promote To Explore Indian Islands 

Several celebrities took to the social media platform and started another hashtag '#ExploreIndianIslands' urging Indians to visit the islands within the Indian territory. "I've visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism," said Akshay Kumar in a post 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… pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguN

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also promoted the urged people to visit Indian islands. 

250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg!

The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories.

India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine… pic.twitter.com/DUCM0NmNCz

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 7, 2024

It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024

Smell?? Permanent smell?? What!!! Suffering from massive Muslim phobia, even though belonging to the same community. Lakshadweep consists of 98 percent of Muslim population, this prominent public figure from Maldives calling them smelly and lowly is rather racist and uninformed.… pic.twitter.com/hLbQvD5RYD

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 7, 2024

Discovering the enchanting allure of #Lakshadweep through Prime Minister @narendramodi's recent visit has left me utterly spellbound! Adding this hidden gem to the top of my travel wishlist. 👌🙌 #Lakshadweep pic.twitter.com/uZfhroAFov

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) January 7, 2024

Former Maldivian President Condemns Remarks

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, however, condemned the objectionable remark by the minister as "appalling" and said India is a "key ally" for the security and prosperity of the archipelago nation.

"What appalling language by Maldives Government official Mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for the Maldives’ security and prosperity. The Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect government policy (sic)," the Maldives' first democratically-elected President, Nasheed, wrote on X.