By – Shubhendra Singh Rajawat
The Maldives government issued a statement in response to India’s declaration that the junior lady minister’s remarks were completely inappropriate and uncalled for.
On Sunday, the Maldives administration distanced itself from remarks made by its minister Mariyam Shiuna about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a statement, the administration stated that the ‘opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the administration of Maldives’.
“The government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and international partners,” a statement from the government said.
“The relevant authorities of the government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks,” the statement said.
Shiuna, the island nation’s deputy minister of youth empowerment, made insulting statements about Prime Minister Modi, labeling him a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet’ during his recent Lakshadweep visit, sparking a big controversy.
However, the minister deleted the X post shortly after the remark sparked widespread criticism on social media. Ex-President Mohammad Nasheed called Shiuna’s remark “appalling.”
“What appalling language by Maldives Government official Mariyam Shiuna towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for the Maldives’ security and prosperity,” Nasheed wrote in a Facebook post.
The Maldives government issued a statement after India stated that the junior lady minister’s statement was uncalled for and unacceptable. The junior minister made the obnoxious remark while Maldivian President Mohammad Muizzu was in Beijing seeking cash.
Muizzu went for China on January 6 after a fund-raising tour to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. He is anticipated to return on January 10. The junior lady minister’s insulting statement reflects the Muizzu government’s pro-Hamas sentiments and is a polarizing build-up to the Majlis election in April.
Despite the Maldivian government’s distance from the comments, she has poisoned an already strained bilateral relationship since pro-China Muizzu took over on November 17.
Muizzu, a Sunni Salafi Muslim, won the Maldivian election by running a divisive campaign against India, calling for the withdrawal of Indian forces from the Maldives. Another issue is that, other from unarmed staff, two Indian helicopters, one Dornier jet, and one offshore petrol vessel (all on loan), the Muslim majority island does not have a single Indian army soldier.