Mariyam Shiuna, a suspended minister in the Maldives, has issued an apology following backlash over a social media post that sparked outrage for disrespecting the Indian national flag.

The incident unfolded when Shiuna shared a post on a social media platform (formerly known as Twitter), featuring an opposition party's campaign poster. The poster depicted the party's logo replaced with the Ashok Chakra, a symbol from the Indian flag. This post, which has since been deleted, coincided with the upcoming elections in the Maldives.

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Shiuna, affiliated with the People's National Congress, the party of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, utilized the post to advocate for support for her party. However, the inclusion of imagery resembling the Indian flag triggered strong criticism from Indian social media users, who demanded an apology and urged President Muizzu to take decisive action against Shiuna.

Responding to the backlash, Shiuna issued an apology on social media, expressing regret for any offense caused by her post. She clarified that the resemblance to the Indian flag in the image was entirely unintentional and emphasized the deep respect the Maldives holds for its relationship with India.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives, which escalated following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep in January 2024. PM Modi's promotion of Lakshadweep's beauty on social media drew negative remarks from Maldivian officials, including Shiuna.

Despite the strained relations, India remains a crucial economic partner for the Maldives, supplying essential imports such as rice and medicine. However, recent developments saw the Maldives directing the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the country, leading to discussions aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution.

The first batch of Indian personnel began their exit from the Maldives in March, with a complete withdrawal slated for May, signaling ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the two nations.

 

BOB Post