Maldivian Minister terms fake reports of his suspension from cabinet
Tagging the tweet by a local media outlet that led to the reports claiming suspension of the Maldivian ministers, Hassan Zihan wrote “Fake news” without elaborating further. Read More
[Malsha Shareef, Maryam Shiuna and Mahzoom Majid (Image tweeted by Adhadhu @AdhadhuMV)]
Male (Maldives)/New Delhi: Amid a flood of reports in the Indian media that the Maldives government has suspended some deputy ministers over social media posts derogatory to PM Modi, Hassan Zihan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil, termed ‘fake news’ reports claiming his suspension from the cabinet.
Tagging the tweet by a local media outlet that led to the reports claiming suspension of three Maldivian ministers, Hassan Zihan wrote “Fake news” without elaborating further.
Adhadhu, a local media writing on social media platform X claimed, “Deputy Ministers Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Hassan Zihan have been suspended for insulting Modi”.
The media outlet in a follow-up message also claimed that there are calls for their dismissal.
Media reports later claimed that Mahzoom Majid, and not Hassan Zihan, has been suspended along with Malsha and Shiuna.
Why strain in India, Maldives relations?
Diplomatic relation between India and Maldives turned sour in October last when Mohamed Muizzu won the Maldivian election and declared all foreign troops on the Maldivian soil have to be removed.
Since India has its troops stationed in Maldives, it was claimed that the announcement was targeted at India. Some reports also claimed that the decision was done at the behest of China.
The latest escalation in India and Maldives came Friday - a day after PM Modi visited Lakshadweep and posted on social media platform X videos and photos of him relaxing on beaches and snorkelling in the sea.
Some social media users and BJP supporters forwarded these videos and images promoting Lakshadweep as an alternate tourist destination to the Maldives. A social media user even called Maldives a "Chinese puppet".
Responding to these tweets, Mariyam Shiuna, Deputy Minister at the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art, in a now deleted post on X called Indian Prime Minister Modi "clown" and "Israeli puppet".
Malsha Shareef, Deputy Minister at Ministry of Youth Empowerment shared PM Modi's videos from Lakshadweep on X using derisive emoji.
Joining the social media debate, Abdullal Mahzoom Majidh, also Deputy Minister at the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Art, wrote:
“While I wish success for India’s tourism, targeting the Maldives so explicitly isn’t diplomatic. India faces significant challenges competing in beach tourism, considering our resort infrastructure exceeds their total islands (sic).”
Meanwhile, Zahid Rameez, a member of the Progressive Party (PPM) in Maldives Senate since January 2013 and a graduate from Unity University College, in a social media post said India would never be able to compete with Maldives in regards to tourism.
"The move (promoting Lakshadweep) 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 downfal", Rameez wrote on X.
Outrage, condemnation
The tweets by the Maldivian ministers sparked a massive outrage in India with calls of boycotting Maldives. The posts also received backlash at home with former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed terming them "appalling".
"What appalling language by Maldives government official Mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives' security and prosperity. The Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect gov policy," Nasheed wrote in a post on X.
Abdulla Shahid, former Foreign Minister of Maldives also condemned the language used by the ministers and asked the government to take action against them.
"I call on the Government to reprimand these officials. Public figures must maintain decorum. They must accept that they are no longer social media activists and that they are now entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the interests of the people and the country", he wrote on X.
"India is a time tested friend and an unwavering ally. They have historically been the first to respond in our time of need. Our close relationship has been bound by mutual respect, history, culture and strong people-to-people relations", Abdulla Shahid added.
Meanwhile, the Maldives government distanced itself from the derogatory remarks made by Shiuna and other ministers. In a statement, the government said the "opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives".
“The government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, and negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and international partners", the Maldives' government said in a statement.
"The relevant authorities of the government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks," it added.
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