India-Maldives News / Maldives suspends three ministers for commenting on PM Modi, minister says 'fake news'

India-Maldives News: Maldives Deputy Minister Hassan Jihan, citing a tweet by local media, on Sunday refuted the report of suspending him from the cabinet along with other ministers over derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called it 'fake. Told the news. His denial came after local media outlet Adhaadhoo reported that Deputy Youth Ministers Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Sharif and Mahzoom Majeed have been suspended for making social media posts mocking Prime Minister Modi.

Fake news https://t.co/8w6ZPZ6mwc

— Hassan Zihan (@0xZihan) January 7, 2024

Three ministers were suspended

Citing a top government source, Adhadhu reported that three deputy ministers were suspended for making derogatory statements against PM Modi after his recent visit to Lakshadweep. Additionally, a section of Maldivian government officials were seen having a heated argument with Indian nationals over the issue, local media outlets reported. A massive uproar broke out after a Maldives deputy minister and some other government officials shared derogatory posts about PM Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep.

PM Modi had tweeted

Let us tell you that PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep on January 2 and shared several pictures, which also included an 'exciting experience' of him trying his hand at snorkeling. In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared photos of white beaches and pristine blue skies and seas, and tagged them with a message that read, "For those who want to embrace the adventurousness in them , should be Lakshadweep."

In a post that has now been deleted, Maldives' Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Shiuna had made a mocking and derogatory reference to PM Modi on his visit to the Indian archipelago. His post also contained pictures of PM Modi's visit to Lakshadweep. The matter has escalated further when Maldives minister Shiuna's post - which has now been removed - included pictures of PM Modi's recent visit to the Union Territory.

Maldives ministers made fun

The Maldives government had said that 'appropriate action' would be taken against the minister, who has been creating a stir on social media over her post mocking the viral pictures of PM Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep. "With regard to the recent comments of Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Mariam Shiuna, the Indian High Commissioner has taken up the matter in Male," a source said.

Earlier in the day, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the derogatory comments made by Shiuna and urged President Mohamed Muizzu to distance the government from the comments. Saying that India was "crucial" in the security and prosperity of the Maldives, the former prime minister asked Muizzu to assure India that the comments did not reflect government policy.