• Source:JND
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Travel agency company EaseMyTrip on Monday announced it has suspended all Maldives flight bookings after the prominent politicians of Maldives made derogatory comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Lakshadweep visit. The action was taken amid a fervid boycott Maldives campaign fuelled by netizens across social media platforms. 

“In solidarity with our nation,@EaseMyTriphas suspended all Maldives flight bookings,” EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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The platform also began the Chalo Lakshadweep campaign after PM Modi shared mesmerizing pictures of his visit to the island.

PM Modi, days back, shared a few pictures of his Lakshadweep visit on social media. The scenic beauty of the place was so captivating that many felt it could be developed as an amazing tourist spot.

When users said PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep could boost tourists’ footfall on the island and the place could be an alternative to Maldives, Maldivian politician Zahid Rameez, a council member of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) said the idea of such competition was delusional. "How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall," Rameez said on X.

Besides, Mariyam Shiuna, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, also sparked a row after she made insulting remarks against PM Modi over his Lakshadweep visit. Shiuna called PM Modi a "clown" and "puppet" in now-deleted posts on X.

The comments by prominent leaders draw a lot of criticism and ire. Netizens have been vehemently promoting a trend calling for a boycott of the Maldives as a tourist destination.

However, the government in Maldives issued a statement distancing itself from the comments made against PM Modi and India. Besides, the government on Sunday suspended three of its ministers over the issue. 

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“All government officials responsible for the comments have been suspended from their post effective immediately,” said Ibrahim Khaleel, spokesperson for the President of Maldives.