• Source:JND
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The Maldives government has suspended three ministers over derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The three ministers suspended by the Maldives are Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha, and Hassan Zihan. However, Deputy Minister Hassan Zihan dismissed all claims of his suspension from the cabinet, along with other ministers, over derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and called it 'fake news'.

He posted about it on X, quoting a local media post, denying all the media reports about his suspension. This came soon after local media outlet Adhadhu reported that deputy youth ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid were suspended over social media posts, making mocking references to Prime Minister Modi.

In a post that has now been deleted, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Shiuna, made a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi over his visit to the Indian island cluster. He featured images of PM Modi from his visit to Lakshadweep.

Here Are Top Updates: 

- Amid criticism, the government earlier on Sunday sought to distance itself from the remarks made by Mariyam Shiuna, saying her opinion does not reflect the government's views.

- The government had said that 'appropriate action' will be taken against the minister. In a statement, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said they were aware of the "derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals”.

- "These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives,” it said.

- Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the derogatory remarks and said that India is "instrumental" in the Maldives' security and prosperity. He also asked Muizzu to give assurance to New Delhi that the comments don't reflect government policy.

- "What appalling language by Maldives Government official @shiuna_m towards the leader of a key ally, that is instrumental for Maldives' security and prosperity. @MMuizzu gov must distance itself from these comments and give clear assurance to India they do not reflect gov policy," Nasheed posted on X.

- Meanwhile, Indian movie stars such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Shraddha Kapoor, along with other prominent personalities, appealed to fans on Sunday to "explore Indian islands" and coastal destinations.

- In social media posts, Kumar, cricketer Hardik Pandya, and veteran player Venkatesh Prasad also urged people to support the Indian tourism sector as they condemned the comments by Maldivian ministers on X that have triggered a row with Internet users pitting Lakshadweep and the Maldives as rival tourist destinations.