Bollywood Boycotts Maldives: Poonam Pandey, Esha Gupta, And Others Voice Concerns Amid Maldives Controversy
Many have spoken up!
In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, a social media post by Maldives minister Abdulla Mahzoom Majid has triggered a diplomatic controversy. PM Modi shared his “exhilarating experience” of the Arabian Sea islands, which, according to Majid, signifies a shift in India’s focus from the Maldives to promoting Lakshadweep as a tourist destination.
1) Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts :🇲🇻 Maldives (Abdulla Mahzoom Majid @MahzoomMajidh) pic.twitter.com/Z1XAEsj1Gg
— Suryabhan Singh Vaghela (@suryabhansv) January 6, 2024
Also Read: Bilkis Bano Case: SC Slams The Gujarat Government For Misusing Powers, Orders 11 Convicts To Surrender
Majid remarked that India faces challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism, escalating tensions between the two countries since President Mohamed Muizzu assumed power last November. However, the Maldives government has distanced itself from the derogatory remarks, stating that they are personal opinions and do not represent the official stance.
The man the myth the Legend. Modi is the biggest influencer alive in India🔥
Believe me that this video of PM Modi Lakshadweep visit has shaken the whole ecosystem of Maldives!#ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/ACMijG6FM7
— Saurabh Singh (@100rabhsingh781) January 7, 2024
In response to the controversy, the Maldives government has reportedly suspended three ministers for their derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The suspended ministers include Hassan Zihan (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport and Civil), Mariyam Shiuna (Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts), and Malsha (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Youth Empowerment).
Despite the official distancing from the remarks, the ‘Boycott Maldives’ movement gained momentum on social media, with many Indians canceling their trips to the Maldives in favor of Lakshadweep. Bollywood celebrities have also joined the discourse, expressing their opinions on social media.
Here’s what Bollywood Celebs had to say –
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar took to Twitter, condemning hateful and racist comments from prominent Maldivian figures. He urged fellow Indians to support domestic tourism, using the hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands. Kangana Ranaut criticized a tweet for allegedly making racist remarks about Lakshadweep’s predominantly Muslim population. She emphasized the natural beauty of Lakshadweep and denounced the comments as crass and vulgarly racist.
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
Smell?? Permanent smell?? What!!! Suffering from massive Muslim phobia, even though belonging to the same community. Lakshadweep consists of 98 percent of Muslim population, this prominent public figure from Maldives calling them smelly and lowly is rather racist and uninformed.… pic.twitter.com/hLbQvD5RYD
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 7, 2024
Esha Gupta shared her admiration for Lakshadweep on Instagram, expressing a desire to return to the “most beautiful beach.” Her post reflects the sentiment of supporting Indian destinations. Actress Poonam Panday announced that she would not shoot in the Maldives again and expressed a preference for shooting in Lakshadweep. She highlighted her stance against derogatory comments from Maldivian ministers.
View this post on Instagram
I love shooting in Maldives but I will never shoot in Maldives again. When I was scheduled to shoot my next shoot in Maldives, I told my team that I will not Fly if this shoot gets stuck in Maldives. Fortunately, they agreed and now hoping to shoot in lakshadweep. #cancelledshoot… pic.twitter.com/nQE73E818A
— Poonam Pandey (@iPoonampandey) January 7, 2024
Urvashi Rautela expressed her intention to visit Lakshadweep and emphasized the untapped potential of India’s tourist destinations. She encouraged followers to guess the Indian haven she featured in her social media posts. Sara Ali Khan also shared a post expressing excitement about exploring Lakshadweep’s islands and jungles, hinting at a shift in her travel preferences. And Janhvi Kapoor expressed awe at the beauty of Lakshadweep’s pristine blue waters and anticipated exploring the islands, encouraging attention towards Indian treasures.
View this post on Instagram
More celeb reactions –
It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024
All these images and memes making me super FOMO now 😍
Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti ❤️
This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/fTWmZTycpO— Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) January 7, 2024
With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go.#exploreindianislands pic.twitter.com/CA1d9r0QZ5
— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) January 7, 2024
250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg!
The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories.
India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine… pic.twitter.com/DUCM0NmNCz
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 7, 2024
India is so beautiful.
Was over awed by the pristine beauty and the rich history of Andaman and Nicobar Islands while shooting the Kalapani chapter of Veer Savarkar’s life .. a must visit. #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/BLb4d8niOd— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) January 7, 2024
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Adding to the repercussions, travel company EaseMyTrip has suspended all flight and hotel bookings for the Maldives. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Nishant Pitti, announced this decision on social media, underscoring the tangible consequences of the diplomatic spat on the tourism industry.
In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings ✈️ #TravelUpdate #SupportingNation #LakshadweepTourism #ExploreIndianlslands #Lakshadweep#ExploreIndianIslands @kishanreddybjp @JM_Scindia @PMOIndia @tourismgoi @narendramodi @incredibleindia https://t.co/wIyWGzyAZY
— Nishant Pitti (@nishantpitti) January 7, 2024
In a recent development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has summoned Ibrahim Shaheen while the Maldives envoy visits Delhi, further escalating the diplomatic tension between India and the Maldives.
First Published: January 08, 2024 2:31 PM
