Maldivian Deputy Minister Hassan Zihan denies suspension; Calls them ‘fake news’
Hassan Zihan, the Maldives’ deputy minister, has dismissed media reports proclaiming the suspension of his cabinet as mere “fabrications.”
Male: Reacting to the circulating reports of his alleged suspension from the Maldivian Cabinet, Deputy Minister Hassan Zihan has refuted the claims and claimed that he is maintaining his position. Zihan dismisses these discussions as “fake news” and remains firmly against the claims, despite local media outlet Adhadhu’s report suggesting that he, along with Deputy Youth Ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid, were suspended for mocking comments on social media aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a report by news agency ANI.
Vice Minister Hassan Zihan refutes claims
Citing a top government source, Adhadhu reported that three deputy ministers had been suspended for making derogatory statements against Prime Minister Modi after his recent visit to Lakshadweep. Further, a section of officials in the Maldivian government were seen exchanging heated messages on X with Indian citizens and also with troll accounts, the local media outlet reported.
A huge uproar broke out after a Maldivian deputy minister and some other government officials shared derogatory messages about Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep. Prime Minister Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep on January 2 and shared several photos, including an “exhilarating experience” of him trying his hand at snorkeling.
In a series of posts on
In a post that has now been deleted, Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Shiuna made a mocking and disrespectful reference to Prime Minister Modi over his visit to the Indian archipelago.
Her post even included images of Prime Minister Modi from his visit to Lakshadweep.
The matter has escalated as Maldivian Minister Shiuna’s post, which has now been deleted, contained images of Prime Minister Modi from his recent visit to the Union Territory. The Maldivian government had said “appropriate action” would be taken against the minister, who is in the middle of a social media storm over her post mocking viral photos of Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep.
“Regarding the recent comments by Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Mariyam Shiuna, the Indian High Commissioner has raised the matter in Male,” the source said. Earlier in the day, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the Shiuna’s derogatory comments and urged President Mohamed Muizzu to distance the government from the comments.
The former prime minister said India played an “instrumental” role in the security and prosperity of the Maldives and called on Muizzu to assure New Delhi that the comments are not in line with government policy.
“What appalling language from Maldives government official @shiuna_m towards the leader of an important ally, which is of great importance to the security and prosperity of the Maldives. The @MMuizzu government must distance itself from these comments and give India clear assurances that these are not in line with government policy,” Nasheed wrote on X.
A section of the Indian film fraternity also came out in support of Prime Minister Modi and strongly criticized the Maldivian leaders’ derogatory remarks against the country and its leader. They also expressed support for Prime Minister Modi’s call to promote beach tourism in Lakshadweep.
Actor Akshay Kumar supports Prime Minister Modi
Actor Akshay Kumar, in a strongly worded post on
The ‘Khiladi’ actor highlighted India’s role as a major tourism contributor to the Maldives while pointing out that India sends the maximum number of tourists to the island.
“Come across comments from prominent public figures from the Maldives making hateful and racist comments about Indians.
I’m surprised they do this against a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists. We are good to our neighbors, but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hatred? I have visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but first with dignity. Let’s decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism,” wrote Akshay Kumar on X (formerly Twitter). Bollywood A-lister Salman Khan also praised Prime Minister Modi for visiting Lakshadweep and posting ‘cool’ and beautiful pictures from the island.
“It’s so cool to see our Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi on the beautiful, clean and breathtaking beaches of Lakshadweep and the best part is hamare India mein hain,” the ‘Tiger 3’ actor posted on X.
Actor Kangana Ranaut also lashed out at Maldives MP Zahid Rameez for his comments against Indians, calling him “gross and vulgarly racist”. Meanwhile, former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad also slammed Maldives Deputy Youth Empowerment Minister Mariyam Shiuna for making derogatory remarks against India.
(With input from agencies)