Akshay Kumar Urges To "Support Our Own Tourism" Amid Row Over Maldives Minister's Comment
Tension between India and Maldives increases as the Island minister”s comment on PM Modi”s visit to Lakshadweep archipelago sparked row. Zahid Rameez, a minister of the ruling party in Maldives, allegedly made comments accusing India of targeting Maldives, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. Sharing India Today’s news on PM Modi’s visit to the Island, Mr Rameez said on X (formerly twitter), “It is very sad that a big country like India is trying to make money by copying a small economy like Sri Lanka”.
އިންޑިޔާ ކަހަލަ ބޮޑު ބިޔަ ގައުމަކުން ރާއްޖެ ކަހަލަ ކުޑަ އިކޮނޮމީއެއް ކޮޕީ ކޮށްގެން ލާރި ހޯދަން އުޅުމަކީ ވަރަށް ދެރަ ކަމެކެވެ. އަދި މީގެން އިގިގެން މިދަނީ އެމީހުން ދިވެހިންނަށް ދުވަހަކުވެސް ހެވެއް ނޭދޭނެ ކަމެވެ. 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/xjcF7a1PF6
— Zahid Rameez (@xahidcreator) January 5, 2024
After the tweet, the micro blogging platform was filled with criticism against the Maldives minister’s comment. several Indians, who planned to go to the Island, shared their cancelled tickets to Maldives.
Had a 3 week booking worth ₹5 lacs from 1st Feb 2024 at Palms Retreat, Fulhadhoo, Maldives. Cancelled it immediately after their Ministers being racists.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳#BoycottMaldives #Maldives #MaldivesKMKB pic.twitter.com/wpfh47mG55
— Rushik Rawal (@RushikRawal) January 6, 2024
Was planning to go to Maldives for my birthday which falls on 2nd of feb. Had almost finalised the deal with my travel agent (adding proofs below👇)
But immediately cancelled it after seeing this tweet of deputy minister of Maldives. #boycottmaldives pic.twitter.com/hd2R534bjY— Dr. Falak Joshipura (@fa_luck7) January 6, 2024
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar also joined in urging Indian tourists to visit Indian island. He said that he is surprised by the comments from prominent public figures from Maldives “passing hateful and racist comments on Indians”. The actor asked why should Indians “tolerate such unprovoked hate? I”ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism”.
Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists.
We are good to our neighbors but
why should we tolerate such… pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguN— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024
To the actor’s tweet, the Maldivian minister said he grew up watching the actor’s movie,and have nothing “personal against India, Indians” or against PM Modi. He said his “sentiments were expressed in the context of growing Indian influence in our political affairs in the past 5 years”. He ended his response to Akshay Kumar by saying that “Not everything works like in the movies”.
Thanks for the tweet @akshaykumar, I grew up watching your movies. 😎
For the record, I have nothing personal against India, Indians or Prime Minister HE @narendramodi. My sentiments were expressed in the context of growing Indian influence in our political affairs in the past… https://t.co/OIRWVEDzhr
— Zahid Rameez (@xahidcreator) January 7, 2024
The diplomatic tension between India and Maldives, the Island which lies in Indian ocean started to raise in recent months, especially after Mohammed Muizzu became the President of the Island nation. The leader has shown a slant in their foreign policy, indicating closer ties with China, and detaching from “India First” approach.
