The tension between India and Maldives is not looking to ease soon. After the derogatory remarks from Maldives ministers, the #BoycottMaldives and #ExploreIndianIslands are trending in India. In a significant move amid the web boycott of the Maldives, EaseMyTrip has chosen to halt all reservations for flights to the Maldives. This is in response to disparaging remarks made by Maldives several ministers. They now have since resigned after the remarks on India and Narendra Modi on his recent visit to Lakshadweep.
EaseMy Trip CEO Nishant Pitti Reacts
Co-founder and CEO of the Indian online travel company Ease My Trip Nishant Pitti expressed his support for the country. He wrote on social platform X, formally Twitter, “In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings.”
EaseMyTrip, an online travel solutions provider, launched the #ChaloLakshadweep campaign to visit Lakshadweep.
The Boycott Maldives Trend
The hashtag #BoycottMaldives gained popularity on social media during the spat between India and the Maldives. This has reportedly led many Indian travelers to postpone their planned trips to the island nation.
Following a backlash in which India brought up the issue, the Maldivian government banned three deputy ministers on Sunday for disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Modi on social media. Male and the island nation’s leading opposition leaders also criticized the ruling establishment for the controversy.
Deputy Ministers Comment On The Situation
Modi’s post on ‘X’ after his visit to Lakshadweep drew criticism from the three deputy ministers. They suggested that it was an attempt to position the Union territory as a tourism destination that could rival the Maldives.
Deputy ministers in the youth ministry, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, have been suspended due to their posts, according to many Maldivian media sites that quoted officials. The dispute broke out on the day President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu left on a seven-day visit to China.
Ibrahim Khaleel, a spokesman for the Maldives president, stated, “All government officials responsible for the comments have been suspended from their posts effective immediately.”
On condition of anonymity, those with knowledge of the situation stated that the Indian side had complained to the Maldives about the disparaging comments.
Where Did The Maldives Controversy Stem From?
In a post on X after his recent visit to Lakshadweep, Modi praised the “stunning beauty” of the islands and the “incredible warmth” of its people, writing, “Lakshadweep has to be on your list for those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them.”
This led to several social media posts advising Indian tourists to visit Lakshadweep rather than the Maldives due to the male government’s pro-China stance. In addition to defying expectations, Muizzu, who took office in November of last year, recently declared that he would first visit China before moving on to India. While Muizzu’s first bilateral visit was to Turkey, Maldivian presidents often make their first stop in New Delhi.
The ministers’ comments have caused controversy in India. Several well-known figures have urged viewers of X to visit their own country rather than go to the Maldives.
Indian Celebs Comment On The Same
Several celebrities, including cricket star Sachin Tendulkar and actors Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, encouraged people to travel to coastal areas and “Indian islands.”
In social media tweets, Virendra Sehwag, Venkatesh Prasad, Akshay Kumar, Hardik Pandya, and other former players denounced the three ministers’ “racist” and “hateful” remarks about X.
According to the foreign ministry of the Maldives, the government is aware of “derogatory remarks” made against foreign leaders on social media. However, the remarks are personal opinions and do not reflect the government’s stance.
“Authorities in the Maldives suspended three deputy ministers who have come under fire on Sunday for their posts on ‘X,’ in which they are seen verbally abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India,” according to the Atoll Times.
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