Lakshadweep Uproar: Indian Celebrities Rally for PM Modi Against Maldivian Criticism
Celebrities, including Bollywood stars and sports legends, rallied around Prime Minister Narendra Modi amidst controversy over his visit to Lakshadweep, sparked by mocking remarks from Maldivian political leaders.
Bollywood icons such as Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, John Abraham, Shraddha Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to showcase the pristine beauty of Lakshadweep. Akshay Kumar condemned the “unprovoked hate” in Maldivian leaders’ comments, emphasizing India’s role as a significant source of tourism for the Maldives.
John Abraham echoed sentiments, promoting Lakshadweep as a travel destination and emphasizing India’s warm hospitality.
Shraddha Kapoor expressed a desire to explore the Indian islands, citing their thriving local culture. Salman Khan commended PM Modi’s presence at the “beautiful, clean, and stunning beaches of Lakshadweep,” celebrating the fact that these picturesque locations are within India’s borders.
The celebrities collectively encouraged the hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands, urging support for domestic tourism. The controversy highlighted the role of celebrities in shaping public opinion and fostering national pride in response to international scrutiny.
Sachin Tendulkar posted a video showcasing himself playing cricket on a scenic beach, expressing, “India is endowed with stunning coastlines and unspoiled islands. Embracing our ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ philosophy, there is immense beauty to discover and countless memories waiting to be forged.”
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
A deputy minister using such language for our country.
Maldives is a largely poor country largely dependent on upmarket tourism with over 15% tourists from India.
India has very many unexplored beautiful coastal towns, and this is a great opportunity to develop many of them into… pic.twitter.com/TJnRUEK411— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) January 7, 2024
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
