In a surprising move on Sunday, the Maldives government suspended three ministers—Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid—due to their derogatory remarks against Bharat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The offensive comments had sparked a massive backlash, prompting the government to take action.
Earlier in the day, the Maldives government issued a statement distancing itself from the controversial remarks, categorizing them as ‘personal opinions.’ This response came after Bharat expressed its disapproval, emphasizing that the comments made by junior minister Mariyam Shiuna were unwarranted and unacceptable.
Several prominent figures, including former presidents Mohammad Nasheed and Ibrahim Solih, called for strict action against the ministers involved. Solih condemned the use of hateful language against India, highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two countries that should not be negatively impacted by such remarks.
Former Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid also joined the chorus, demanding stern action against the ministers. He characterized the derogatory remarks as reprehensible and odious, urging the government to reprimand the officials responsible.
The controversial comments by the Maldivian ministers triggered a significant backlash on social media, with even celebrities, including film stars, publicly criticizing the leaders for their hate-filled remarks against Prime Minister Modi.
It is worth noting that these remarks come at a critical time when Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu is in Beijing seeking funds. Muizzu, a Sunni Salafi Muslim leader who won the elections in November, had campaigned on the promise of ousting Indian troops from the Maldives. The incident raises questions about the potential impact on diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India in the aftermath of these offensive comments.
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