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