A suspended Maldivian minister, Mariyam Shiuna, issued an apology after a social media post caused an uproar for allegedly disrespecting the Bharatiya National Flag. The post, which has since been deleted, featured an opposition party’s campaign poster resembling the Bharatiya flag’s Ashok Chakra.
In the contentious post, Shiuna criticized the Maldivian opposition party’s actions, inadvertently using an image resembling the Indian flag’s central emblem. The post sparked backlash and outrage, prompting Shiuna to remove it before issuing a public apology.
Mariyam Shiuna took to Twitter to extend her sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the post. She clarified that the resemblance to the Bharatiya flag was unintentional and expressed regret for any misunderstanding it may have caused. She emphasized the importance of the relationship between Maldives and Bharat and pledged to be more vigilant in verifying content before sharing it in the future.
I would like to address a recent social media post of mine that has garnered attention and criticism .I extend my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the content of my recent post.
It was brought to my attention that the image used in my response to the…
— Mariyam Shiuna (@shiuna_m) April 8, 2024
This incident is not the first time Maldivian officials have faced backlash for disrespecting Bharat. Earlier, Shiuna and two colleagues were suspended for ridiculing Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media following his visit to Lakshadweep. The comments were seen as undermining the strong bilateral ties between Maldives and Bharat.
The Maldivian foreign ministry, without naming the ministers, emphasized that remarks against foreign leaders did not represent the government’s views. This statement came after the Bharatiya high commission in Male registered a strong protest over the derogatory remarks made by the suspended ministers.
Maldives’ suspension of the three deputy ministers reflects the complexities in its relationship with India. Despite historical ties, recent political shifts have led to strains, with the current Muizzu government perceived as anti-Bharat and pro-China. Tensions have arisen over issues such as Bharatiya efforts to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination competing with the Maldives.
In conclusion, Mariyam Shiuna’s apology for the controversial social media post highlights the delicate nature of diplomatic relations between Maldives and Bharat. While both countries value their partnership, incidents like these underscore the importance of mutual respect and understanding in maintaining strong bilateral ties.
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