Venkatesh Prasad Gives A Perfect Reply After Maldives Politicians’ Hateful Remarks Against India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi caused quite a stir online following his recent visit to Lakshadweep. On the island, he embraced the underwater world through snorkeling, sparking a buzz on social media. Expressing his thanks for Lakshadweep’s kind hospitality, he also encouraged others to adopt new travel plans for the year.

Speaking about his trip, PM Modi said that he was mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the islands of Lakshadweep and the extreme kindness of their inhabitants. It was believed that PM Modi’s visit to the nation’s smallest Union Territory—36 islands across 32 square kilometers—was an attempt to boost island tourism.

And those early morning walks along the pristine beaches were also moments of pure bliss. pic.twitter.com/soQEIHBRKj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024

PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep draws criticism from Maldives

However, despite the Prime Minister’s positive sentiments, the post drew unexpected attention in the neighboring Maldives. Taking offense, a few senior Maldivian officials said that PM Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep was an attempt to draw visitors away from the Maldives by giving Indian tourists an option.

Tensions further escalated when senior ministers from the Maldives made derogatory remarks targeting the Indian Prime Minister. Notably, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts Mariyam Shiuna made headlines for all wrong reasons. She called Prime Minister Modi a “clown” and said he was a “puppet of Israel.”

Additionally, Shiuna used regional phrases to compare India negatively in a widely shared tweet. These negative sentiments further infuriated Indian social media users and sparked the “Boycott Maldives” movement.

The trend took a serious turn when several Indian celebrities, such as Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut, openly came in support of this boycott trend. Not only Bollywood celebrities but also many cricketers took a stand on this. While Sachin Tendulkar chooses not to say anything about the Maldives and only promotes Lakshadweep, former bowler Venkatesh Prasad harshly criticized the Maldivian minister and her comments.

Venkatesh Prasad calls out the Maldivian minister for her anti-India rants

While Mariyam Shiuna deleted her post, Venkatesh Prasad, a former fast bowler for India, saw it as disrespect towards his nation. He attacked her for her disparaging post about India. While attacking her, he claimed that “over 15% of tourists from India” are responsible for the Maldives’ economy. On X, Venkatesh Prasad wrote,

“A deputy minister using such language for our country. Maldives is a largely poor country largely dependent on upmarket tourism with over 15% tourists from India.India has very many unexplored beautiful coastal towns, and this is a great opportunity to develop many of them into tourist destinations.”

A deputy minister using such language for our country.
Maldives is a largely poor country largely dependent on upmarket tourism with over 15% tourists from India.
India has very many unexplored beautiful coastal towns, and this is a great opportunity to develop many of them into… pic.twitter.com/TJnRUEK411

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 7, 2024

India and the Maldives have a long history of mutual cultural affinity and flourishing tourism. These relations have been strengthened by India’s backing of the Maldives’ development projects and its popularity as a top holiday destination. However, recent political shifts in the Maldives, coupled with disparaging remarks from senior Maldivian officials aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have ignited tensions.

Here’s how netizens reacted to the incident

We Indians have always been at the forefront of aiding populace inmical to us…hopefully they won’t stretch it to the point where we start hitting back where it hurts pic.twitter.com/6OqQd9hDkW

— sonu (@sonaa4u) January 7, 2024

Modji ji one tweet is enough to ruin Maldives economy

— @vipin mishra (@viplnt) January 7, 2024

hmne Maldives ko vaccine pahuchai thi, kuchh din pahle pine ka pani pahuchaya tha, 1988 me terrorist attack se bachaya tha but maldives ke log ye bhul gye

— भारतीय (@seriousfunnyguy) January 7, 2024

See repercussions, In one day, Maldives faced multiple challenges:
1- An earthquake occurred.
2- All official government websites were hacked by unknown entities.
3- 8000 hotel bookings were canceled.
4- 2500 flights were disrupted.
5- India has decided not to purchase crude oil…

— Bipin Singh (@bipinofficial25) January 7, 2024

Ever since he became the new President, he has been fluttering a bit too much, he will have to show his status.

— Dipak kushwaha (@imdipak_k) January 7, 2024

Amidst the ongoing controversy, responses emerged from both India and the Maldives regarding the situation. India voiced its worries over the situation, and the Maldivian government moved to disassociate itself from Mariyam Shiuna’s remarks. Moreover, the Maldivian government has suspended its 3 ministers, including Mariyam Shiuna. The other two are Malsha Shareef and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid. They were also engaged in making disparaging statements against PM Modi and India.