Mumbai: Bollywood celebrities and sports icons joined the discussion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, sparking controversy with mockery from Maldivian political figures.
Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, John Abraham, Shraddha Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Sachin Tendulkar, and others showcased Lakshadweep’s beauty on social media. Some specifically mentioned PM Modi’s visit, addressing the reactions of Maldivian leaders in their posts.
Akshay Kumar labeled the remarks by Maldivian leaders as “unprovoked hate” while sharing screenshots of their statements.
He wrote, “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.”
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 neighbors but
why should we tolerate such… pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguN— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024
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”
It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024
Shraddha Kapoor wrote on X, “All these images and memes making me super FOMO now ðŸ˜. Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti âäï¸ This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands”.
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 ❤️
This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/fTWmZTycpO— Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) January 7, 2024
John Abraham shared stunning beach pictures, 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.
With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go.#exploreindianislands pic.twitter.com/CA1d9r0QZ5
— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) January 7, 2024
Kangana Ranaut also responded to comments from the Maldives minister about PM Modi. “Smell?? Permanent smell?? What!!! Suffering from massive Muslim phobia, even though belonging to the same community. Lakshadweep consists of 98 percent of Muslim population, this prominent public figure from Maldives calling them smelly and lowly is rather racist and uninformed,” she wrote on X.
“For most people tourism is not just filthy luxury, it is rather exploration of nature, alignment with the source and above all experiencing and enjoying the raw, untouched beauty of virgin beaches. Shame on you for being so crass and vulgarly racist,” her tweet read further.
Smell?? Permanent smell?? What!!! Suffering from massive Muslim phobia, even though belonging to the same community. Lakshadweep consists of 98 percent of Muslim population, this prominent public figure from Maldives calling them smelly and lowly is rather racist and uninformed.… pic.twitter.com/hLbQvD5RYD
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 7, 2024
Sachin Tendulkar also posted a video of himself playing cricket on a beach and wrote, “India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine islands. With our ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ philosophy, we have so much to explore, so many memories waiting to be created.”
250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg!
The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories.
India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine… pic.twitter.com/DUCM0NmNCz
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 7, 2024
As the controversy escalates, more celebrities are expected to participate in the conversation.
On January 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep, posting images of his time in the archipelago and snorkeling. The images gained widespread attention, with several people comparing them to the Maldives and declaring it a superior tourist destination.
Maldivian political figures responded with disparaging comments about Prime Minister Modi and ridiculed his visit. This prompted a brief wave of criticism from Indian internet users, with the hashtag “#BoycottMaldives” trending online.