Maldives minister Malsha Sharyf was allegedly suspended for derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Maldivian officials engaged in a heated exchange on social media, leading to the suspension of three ministers including Malsha Sharif.
Who is Maldives minister Malsha Sharyf (Shareef) suspended after comments on PM Narendra Modi and Indians on Twitter/X
In a recent turn of events, the Maldives government finds itself entangled in a diplomatic uproar following derogatory social media posts by three deputy ministers about the Indian Prime Minister. The controversy unfolded after supporters of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party projected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Lakshadweep islands as a signal to consider other Indian tourist destinations. Know who is Malsha Sharif.
Dear @malshasharyf & @shiuna_m
What a shame you are bringing to this nation by stooping so low to even reply to these posts in such a childish way.
You are MINISTERS of our government. ACT LIKE IT!! pic.twitter.com/THfybaIqX2
— މުޝްތަރީ 🪐 (@hnveyru) January 6, 2024
Malsha Sharyf was suspended after India expressed concerns over comments by the three ministers to the Maldives government.
The Maldivian government swiftly distanced itself from the derogatory remarks, emphasizing that these were personal opinions and did not represent the official stance.
The foreign ministry issued a statement stressing the importance of exercising freedom of expression responsibly to maintain positive international relationships. It further warned that action would be taken against those making such derogatory remarks.
The government of the Maldives has suspended three deputy ministers after they made derogatory remarks about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media and Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid who all worked for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts were disciplined for their comments against Modi on social media, a senior government official told Reuters on Sunday.
The three had variously described PM Modi as a “clown”, “terrorist” and “puppet of Israel” on social media platform X, in response to a video of promoting tourism in Lakshadweep, an Indian Union territory in the Arabian Sea.
ކަމަނާ މި ތަރުޖަމާކޮށްލަ ދެއްވާށެވެ. 👇@malshasharyf pic.twitter.com/2fhsm03zdw
— muhammad 🇲 💡💡 بجمهورية_المالديف (@saeedBOKI) January 7, 2024
Following the government’s statement, the president’s office informed reporters in Malé through WhatsApp about the suspension of three ministers, identified as deputy ministers in the youth ministry—Malsha Sharyf, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid. While the term ‘suspension’ was used, the details and duration remained unclear by leaving room for speculation on the ministers’ future roles within the government.
The Indian High Commission sought clarification from the Maldives government regarding the social media remarks by underlining the seriousness of the matter. Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed condemned the language used by Mariyum Shiuna, urging President Muizzu to distance the government from such remarks and assure India that they do not reflect official policy.
Reactions on suspensions
The Maldivian Democratic Party claimed that the derogatory remarks were not isolated incidents but the result of a hate-mongering campaign by the leadership of PPM/PNC. The party asserted that the lack of diplomatic values and professionalism by senior government officials had damaged the country’s international standing irreparably. The foreign ministry’s statement, distancing itself from the ministers, was criticized by the opposition as “half-hearted and disingenuous.”
Faris Maumoon also criticized the government’s response, stating that there was no acknowledgment of responsibility but rather a defense that government officials had the right to contravene official policy. He highlighted the harm caused to Maldives’ international standing and emphasized that political loyalty to individuals should not take precedence over the country’s interests.
Ahmed Mohamed, former Maldivian ambassador to India, expressed perplexity over the escalation of the social media situation. He called for accountability and urged the government to distance itself from the contentious debate.
Former foreign minister Ahmed Shaheed also voiced confusion over the controversy, stating that there was no need for officials to react with xenophobic remarks.
The recent incident adds another layer to the evolving dynamics between Maldives and India.