Mariyam Shiuna, a suspended minister within the Maldives authorities led by President Mohamed Muizzu, has apologised for her now-deleted social media publish the place she mocked the Indian flag. Shiuna’s publish on X was in opposition to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Get together (MDP).
The publish, which mocked the MDP, confirmed an altered image of Ashok Chakra, part of the Indian flag. It triggered extreme backlash from Indians in addition to Maldivians.
This is a have a look at the deleted publish which got here forward of the parliamentary elections within the Maldives:
Seems to be like a deliberate occasion of mis-info by the suspended Maldives minister mixing the marketing campaign poster of opposition MDP with India forward of Parliamentary polls. Forward of Maldives Prez election final 12 months, anti India mis information was seen. pic.twitter.com/Oja4kXBHBL
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 7, 2024
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A clarification
Following the sharp criticism of the publish, Shiuna deleted it and issued a clarification. “I want to handle a latest social media publish of mine that has garnered consideration and criticism. I prolong my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offence attributable to the content material of my latest publish,” Shiuna stated.
I want to handle a latest social media publish of mine that has garnered consideration and criticism .I prolong my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense attributable to the content material of my latest publish.
It was delivered to my consideration that the picture utilized in my response to the…
— Mariyam Shiuna (@shiuna_m) April 8, 2024
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“It was delivered to my consideration that the picture utilized in my response to the Maldivian opposition celebration MDP bore a resemblance to the Indian flag. I wish to make it clear that this was solely unintentional, and I sincerely remorse any misunderstanding it could have prompted,” she added.
The suspended minister additionally stated that Maldives deeply “values its relationship and, the mutual respect we share with India.”
Earlier controversy involving Shiuna
This isn’t the primary time that Shiuna has stoked controversy. Earlier than being suspended from the cupboard, Shiuna because the deputy minister of the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Data, and Artwork, made disparaging remarks on social media about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to to Lakshadweep. Following extreme backlash, she eliminated her remarks, whereas Male distanced itself from her statements.
The most recent controversy comes days after India renewed the quota to permit the export of sure portions of important commodities to Maldives. In a publish, the Indian Excessive Fee within the Maldives stated that New Delhi allowed the export of sure portions of important commodities for the 12 months 2024-25 on the ‘request’ of the Maldivian authorities and that it was being performed underneath a singular bilateral mechanism.
I sincerely thank EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Authorities of #India for the renewal of the quota to allow #Maldives to import important commodities from India in the course of the years 2024 and 2025.
That is really a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the robust…
— Moosa Zameer (@MoosaZameer) April 5, 2024
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“I sincerely thank EAM S Jaishankar and the Authorities of India for the renewal of the quota to allow Maldives to import important commodities from India in the course of the years 2024 and 2025. That is really a gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship, and the robust dedication to additional increase bilateral commerce and commerce between our two nations,” Maldivian International Minister Moosa Zameer stated on Saturday (April 6).
