Maldives Controversy: Celebrities Join Hands as EaseMyTrip Halts Bookings Amid #BoycottMaldives
On Sunday, the Maldives government took significant action by suspending 3 ministers who had made disrespectful comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The suspension of Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid came in response to the widespread backlash against their remarks.
Malsha Shareef’s tweet shows how much hatred and anguish she nurtures in her heart against Bharath and Hindus
Enjoy your screenshot and…
Get 10 stickers for $1: https://t.co/IGW12ygmK5 pic.twitter.com/ADFARPmXCe
— Pikaso (@pikaso_me) January 7, 2024
Earlier in the day, the Maldives government issued a statement distancing itself from the comments, labeling them as ‘personal opinions.’
This clarification followed India’s strong objection, emphasizing that the remarks made by junior minister Mariyam Shiuna were inappropriate and not acceptable.
Former presidents including Mohammad Nasheed and Ibrahim Solih had demanded action against the ministers over their remarks against Prime Minister Modi.
“I condemn the use of hateful language against #India by Maldivian government officials on social media. India has always been a good friend to Maldives and we must not allow such callous remarks to negatively impact the age old friendship between our two countries,” former president Ibrahim Solih had said.
Former Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid had also demanded stern action against the ministers.
Derogatory remarks made by 2 Deputy Ministers of the current #Maldives Government, and a member of a political party in the ruling coalition, towards Prime Minister narendramodi and the people of India on social media is reprehensible and odious.
I call on the Government to reprimand these officials,” he had said in an X post.
EaseMyTrip Cancel All Maldives Flight Bookings Amidst Controversy Over Anti-PM Modi Posts By Maldivian Ministers
In a good show of solidarity with India, CEO Nishant Pitti announced that EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings.
“In response to the online campaign urging a boycott of Maldives and the derogatory remarks made by now-suspended ministers against India and PM Modi following his recent visit to Lakshadweep, EaseMyTrip has taken a significant step by suspending all Maldives flight bookings.”
“To express solidarity with India, Nishant Pitti, the co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Indian online travel company, announced on social media, formally Twitter, ‘In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings.'”
In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings ✈️ #TravelUpdate #SupportingNation #LakshadweepTourism #ExploreIndianlslands #Lakshadweep#ExploreIndianIslands @kishanreddybjp @JM_Scindia @PMOIndia @tourismgoi @narendramodi @incredibleindia https://t.co/wIyWGzyAZY
— Nishant Pitti (@nishantpitti) January 7, 2024
The online travel solutions provider, EaseMyTrip, kickstarted the ‘Visit Lakshadweep’ campaign with #ChaloLakshadweep hashtag on X.
Established in 2008 and headquartered in New Delhi, EaseMyTrip was founded by Nishant Pitti, Rikant Pitti, and Prashant Pitti.
In a post-dated January 4, Prashant Pitti expressed, ‘Water & beaches of Lakshadweep are as good as Maldives/Seychelles. We at EaseMyTrip will come up with crazy special-offers to promote this pristine destination that our PM narendramodi has recently visited!
Water & beaches of Lakshadweep are as good as Maldives/Seychelles
We at @EaseMyTrip will come up with crazy special-offers to promote this pristine destination that our PM @narendramodi has recently visited! pic.twitter.com/T2ZTd52TOt
— Prashant Pitti (@ppitti) January 4, 2024
Amidst the escalating tensions between India and the Maldives, the hashtag #BoycottMaldives gained momentum on social media, leading to reports of Indian tourists canceling their planned trips to the island nation.
The controversy unfolded as Maldivian politicians faced backlash for derogatory social media posts against Prime Minister Modi.
In response, the Maldivian government suspended 3 deputy ministers, Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, over their posts.
The controversy was sparked by criticism of Modi’s social media post about ‘X’ following his visit to Lakshadweep, with implications that it aimed to promote the Union territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
The incident unfolded as President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu embarked on a week-long visit to China.
“All government officials responsible for the comments have been suspended from their posts effective immediately,” stated Ibrahim Khaleel, spokesperson for the President of Maldives.
Sources, requesting anonymity, revealed that the Indian side had expressed concerns regarding the derogatory remarks to the Maldives.
After PM Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, where he praised the islands’ beauty and warmth of its people, there was a social media campaign encouraging Indians to choose Lakshadweep over the Maldives due to perceived pro-China leanings of the Maldivian government.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who took office in November, also departed from tradition by announcing a visit to China before India, breaking the usual protocol where New Delhi is the first destination for Maldivian presidents.
Turkey became the first country he visited bilaterally.
INDIAN CELEBRETIES REACTION
The ministers’ remarks have sparked criticism in India, leading several Indian celebrities to encourage people on social media to explore domestic tourist destinations instead of choosing the Maldives.
Celebrities such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Sachin Tendulkar have urged their followers to visit “Indian islands” and coastal destinations, with posts condemning the “hateful” and “racist” comments on X made by the three ministers.
Notable figures like Akshay Kumar, cricketer Hardik Pandya, and former players Venkatesh Prasad and Virendra Sehwag have expressed their disapproval.
In response, the Maldivian foreign ministry stated that the government is aware of the “derogatory remarks” on social media against foreign leaders, emphasizing that these personal views do not represent the official position of the Maldivian government.
