India-Maldives Controversy – How social media/celebrities have reacted?

India-Maldives Controversy: Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal has criticized the Maldives for its objectionable remarks made about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Actually, PM Modi visited Lakshadweep on January 3. He spent some time here and shared the moments spent on this island in the form of photographs. He also described it as an excellent tourist destination for Indians. After this, people started comparing Lakshadweep with the Maldives on social media.

Comedian Vir Das, the winner of an international Emmy, has made remarks regarding Indian celebrities promoting travel to the Lakshadweep Islands. Das’ comments come with strained relations between India and the Maldives due to a tweet sent by a Maldivian politician criticizing the breathtaking islands of Lakshadweep and disparagingly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Since then, several Bollywood celebrities have supported the archipelago and urged Indians to discover its splendor, including Sara Ali Khan, John Abraham, and Akshay Kumar.

Das, however, made a sly dig at the rich people and their obsession with taking Maldivian vacations, which could backfire given the current tensions between the two countries.

Das used X to discuss Indian influencers and celebrities who had spent weeks perfecting their vacation photos in the Maldives but were now afraid to post them online.

He tweeted on Monday, “Firstly, happy Lakshadweep is getting some love! Secondly, somewhere in the Maldives, right now, is an Indian celebrity or influencer who didn’t eat carbs for two weeks, took the best vacation photos ever, and is terrified to post them.”

Sara Ali Khan, Jahnvi Kapoor, Urvashi Rautela, John Abraham, Shraddha Kapoor, and many other Bollywood actors posted photos of Lakshadweep amid Maldives boycott calls. The celebs joined the trend of promoting Indian tourism after prominent personalities from the Maldives mocked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi recently shared pictures of his trip to the Lakshadweep Islands.

Sharing screenshots of remarks made by Maldivian leaders, Akshay Kumar called them “unprovoked hate.”.

He wrote, “I came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists. We are good to our neighbours but, Why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism.”

Salman Khan said, “It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful, clean and stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein gain”

Shraddha Kapoor wrote on X, “All these images and memes making me super FOMO now 😍. Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti âä️ This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands”.

Johnn Abhraham also shared stunning pictures of the beaches, saying “Lakshwadeep is the place to go”.

“With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go,” he said.