In the aftermath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, discussions about the Maldives are gaining momentum. People are expressing a preference for Lakshadweep over the Maldives for tourism. Pictures of the beautiful landscapes of Lakshadweep are consistently being shared on social media. Meanwhile, criticism of PM Modi by a Maldivian minister has triggered a backlash on social media, leading to the trending hashtag #BoycottMaldives.

Many Indians have canceled their plans to visit the Maldives, with over 8,000 hotel bookings and 2,500 flight tickets canceled, as claimed in various social media posts.

Prime Minister Modi shared images of his visit to Lakshadweep on social media, which seemed to have upset the Maldives. Mariyam Shiuna, the Maldives’ Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and the Arts, made derogatory comments about PM Modi after posting pictures of his Lakshadweep trip. She referred to Modi as a ‘joker’ and likened him to a ‘puppet of Israel,’ though she later deleted the tweet. In another post, Shiuna questioned the presence of the Indian military in the Maldives, stating that the Maldives does not need the Indian military.

Social Media Showdown: Maldives vs. Lakshadweep

Users on social media have been expressing their opinions using the hashtag #BoycottMaldives. One user compared PM Modi’s Lakshadweep trip to a surgical strike on the Maldives, while another stated that places like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Nainital, and Mumbai in India are more beautiful than the Maldives. Some users decided to boycott the Maldives, asserting that the Maldives government does not consider India important, and it’s time to show our significance by completely boycotting the Maldives.

Thousands Cancel Plans to Visit the Maldives

There are claims on social media that thousands of people have canceled their plans to visit the Maldives. Angry posts against the Maldives are circulating on social media, indicating a significant backlash. It appears that the Maldives will face a setback, considering its economy heavily relies on tourism. Users are sharing screenshots, indicating their decision to cancel Maldives tours. User @RajeshNain claimed that since the Maldivian minister insulted India, 8,166 hotel bookings and around 2,500 flight tickets have been canceled, though these figures have not been officially confirmed.

Former Maldivian President Criticizes His Own Ministers

The controversy escalated to the point where former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed confronted his own ministers. He criticized the comments made by the Maldivian minister and advised leaders to refrain from such language. Nasheed emphasized that India is a significant ally for the security and prosperity of the Maldives. He urged the government led by President Mohammed Muizzu to keep its composure in the face of such comments and assured India that these statements do not reflect the government’s policy.

As tensions rise on social media, the impact on tourism and diplomatic relations remains to be seen.

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