MALDIVES SUSPENDS THREE MINISTERS OVER REMARKS AGAINST PM MODI

Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives has taken up the matter of minister Maryam Shiuna making disrespectful reference to PM Modi in a social media post.

- 

Distancing itself from the controversy, Maldives on Sunday suspended three ministers whose social media posts against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered a social media fury, even as Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar has taken up the matter with the government in the island nation.

As the controversy raged on in the social media, several Indians claimed they cancelled their scheduled vacation to the island nation. Leading sports personalities and film stars, meanwhile, termed the remarks as unwanted. They also expressed their support to PM Modi's call for promoting beach tourism in Lakshadweep.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today issued a statement on the stand of the Government of India in relation to some posts on social media that are insulting to neighbouring India," the Maldives government said in a statement.

"Those who made such posts on social media while in government positions have now been suspended from their jobs," the statement said.

Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid are the minister who have been suspended.