Gov’t Officials Suspended Over Social Media Comments on Modi and India

Several high-ranking government officials have been suspended following their involvement in a social media row over derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country itself.

Numerous top government officials joined the online dispute, leading to the suspension of three deputy ministers from the Youth Ministry: Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid.

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The controversy unfolded last week when a video of Prime Minister Modi at a beach in Lakshadweep was shared on social media. Pro-Indian government accounts claimed that the video would boost tourism in Lakshadweep, potentially impacting the Maldives’ tourism industry, which has received international acclaim.

Social media users, echoing sentiments shared widely, have called for the dismissal of these officials due to their derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Modi.

In response to the situation, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry released a statement on yesterday, asserting that the officials’ comments were personal opinions and did not reflect the views of the Maldivian government.

The comments made by some Maldivians concerning India have drawn condemnation from Indian nationals, including prominent figures in Bollywood. It’s worth noting that India holds a significant position as one of the primary source markets for tourist arrivals in the Maldives.

Last year, the Maldives welcomed 209,198 Indian tourists, representing the highest number of arrivals from a single market. The incident has prompted discussions about the potential impact on diplomatic relations and tourism between the two nations.