Top govt. officials suspended over derogatory remarks against Modi, India

Top government officials who made derogatory remarks against neighboring India and the nation’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media have been suspended.

A row erupted on social media last week, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a video of him in a beach in Lakshadweep.

Several pro-Indian government accounts began sharing the video, which they said would promote tourism in Lakshadweep, and become a setback for Maldives – which has an award-winning tourism industry.

Several top government officials also got involved in the row.

Sun has learned the identities of the officials who were suspended over the posts as three deputy ministers from the Youth Ministry; Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid.

Their suspension comes at a time many, on social media, have called for the dismissal over derogatory remarks against India and Modi.

In a statement regarding the matter on Sunday afternoon, Maldivian Foreign Ministry said the officials’ remarks were their personal opinions and did not represent the view of the Maldivian government. 

The remarks by some Maldivians regarding India have been condemned by Indian nationals including top Bollywood stars. 

India is one of the top source markets for tourist arrivals to the Maldives.

209,198 Indian tourists visited the country last year – marking the highest number of arrivals by a single market.