Maldives suspends three ministers over derogatory remarks against Indian PM Modi

The Maldivian authorities on Sunday (January 7, 2024) suspended three ministers for his or her alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi which triggered a row between the 2 nations.

The three ministers had been recognized as Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid.

“Those who made such posts on social media whereas in authorities positions have now been suspended from their jobs,” learn an announcement issued by the nation’s authorities as quoted by NDTV.

Also Read: ‘Boycott Maldives’ trends on social media after Minister’s post on PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit riles Indians

This comes within the wake of Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna’s disparaging feedback on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “clown” and “puppet” in posts on X, which have since been deleted.

These tweets had been eliminated following criticism and backlash on the micro-blogging website.

Mohamed Nasheed reacts

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed strongly criticized the disparaging remarks made by a Maldivian minister concerning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi amidst an argument ignited by the minister’s ridicule of PM Modi’s go to to Lakshadweep.

Nasheed voiced dismay on the offensive language utilized by Minister Mariyam Shiuna and harassed that India is a vital ally for the safety and well-being of the Maldives.

“What appalling language by Maldives Government official Mariyam Shiuna in direction of the chief of a key ally, that’s instrumental for the Maldives’ safety and prosperity. The Mohamed Muizzu authorities should distance itself from these feedback and provides clear assurance to India they don’t replicate authorities coverage (sic),” the Maldives’ first democratically-elected President, Nasheed, wrote on X.

India-Maldives relationship

The row erupted underneath the shadow of strained India-Maldives ties after President Mohamed Muizzu, who’s seen as a pro-China politician, got here to energy.

Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives in November 2023. As a part of his election promise, he dedicated to withdrawing a bunch of roughly 75 Indian navy personnel from his nation and revising the Maldives’ longstanding “India first” coverage.

‘Boycott Maldives’ is trending on social media following a tweet by a Maldives minister days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pictorial go to to the Lakshadweep archipelago.

PM Modi’s go to to the nation’s smallest Union Territory comprising 36 islands with an space of 32 sq km was seen as a transfer to advertise tourism on the island.