NEW DELHI: Prominent celebrities, both from Bollywood and the sports world, have actively engaged in the discussion surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs visit to Lakshadweep, which triggered mockery from Maldivian political leaders, sparking a controversy. A wave of support and appreciation for Lakshadweepโs pristine beauty flooded social media, with several renowned personalities contributing their voices to the discourse for #ExploreIndianIslands.
Bollywood luminaries such as Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Kartik Aryan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, among others, took to their social media platforms to highlight the stunning beauty of Lakshadweep and express their outrage and disappointment over derogatory remarks made by Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Akshay Kumar: Bollywoodโs Khiladi, Akshay Kumar shared screenshots of Maldivian leadersโ remarks, calling it โunprovoked hate.โ In a strongly-worded post, Akshay Kumar expressed surprise at the hostile attitude coming from a nation that receives a significant influx of Indian tourists. He questioned the need for India to tolerate such disrespect, especially considering the substantial number of visitors the country sends to the Maldives. Taking to โXโ, he wrote, โIโve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first.โ He concluded his message with the hashtag #ExploreIndianIslands, encouraging people to embrace domestic 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 suchโฆ pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguNโ Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024
Kangana Ranaut: Actress and activist Kangana Ranaut, took a strong stand against the derogatory comment on Indian tourism made by Maldivian ministers, in a X post on Sunday, actress expressed her disbelief and condemnation. She reshared the tweet by the Maldivian politician and penned a lengthy note, specifically addressing his remarks about Prime Minister Modiโs visit to Lakshadweep. Ranaut criticised the politician, saying, โSmell?? Permanent smell?? What!!! Suffering from massive Muslim phobia, even though belonging to the same community. Lakshadweep consists of 98 percent of the Muslim population, and this prominent public figure from Maldives calling them smelly and lowly is rather racist and uninformed.โ
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.โฆ pic.twitter.com/hLbQvD5RYD
โ Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) January 7, 2024
Salman Khan: Bollywood superstar Salman khan praised PMโs presence at the beautiful beaches of Lakshadweep, on X he wrote, โIt 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.โ
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.
โ Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024
All these images and memes making me super FOMO now ๐
Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, Iโm on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti โค๏ธ
This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/fTWmZTycpOโ Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) January 7, 2024
Kartik Aryan: Similarly, โPyaar Ka Punchnamaโ actor, Kartik Aryan posted the same picturesque image on his X account, emphasising that the tag โIncredible Indiaโ is not just a label. He wrote, โour beautiful country has some of the most incredible and stunning locales and #Lakshadweep is an example of it- a heaven like place in India itself! Canโt wait to explore this beautiful Indian island. #ExploreIndianIslands.โ
Incredible India is not just a tag, our beautiful country has some of the most incredible and stunning locales and #Lakshadweep is an example of it- a heaven like place in India itself! Canโt wait to explore this beautiful Indian island. #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/Z16hxG0fOo
โ Kartik Aaryan (@TheAaryanKartik) January 7, 2024
Varun Dhawan: Actor Varun Dhawan expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he shared, โSeeing our honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi sir at the beaches in Lakshadweep makes me realise Iโve been missing out on our pristine beaches and water. Canโt wait to book my next holiday #ExploreIndianIslands.โ
Seeing our honourable prime minister @narendramodi sir at the beaches in Lakshadweep makes me realise Iv been missing out on our pristine beaches and water
Canโt wait to book my next holiday #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/DRXP7ZLMBdโ VarunDhawan (@Varun_dvn) January 7, 2024
John Abraham: Actor John Abraham, echoing the spirit of โAtithi Devo Bhavaโ extolled the allure of Lakshadweep as the ultimate destination. In a swift response to the Maldives row, he shared stunning pictures of Lakshadweepโs pristine beaches, labeling it as the go-to place. With an emphasis on the regionโs vast marine life and warm hospitality, John wrote on โXโ, โWith the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of โAtithi Devo Bhavaโ and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshadweep is the place to go.โ, with the hashtag #exploreindianislands.
With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of โAtithi Devo Bhavaโ and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go.#exploreindianislands pic.twitter.com/CA1d9r0QZ5
โ John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) January 7, 2024
Kailash Kher: Kailash Kher, known for his soulful voice, took to โXโ to emphasise the beauty of โLakshadweep, a group of islands belonging to India.โ In the shared video, Kher reminisced about his experience during a concert with his band Kailasa in Lakshadweep, highlighting the enchanting allure of the islands. The singer expressed his gratitude to PM Modi stating, โThanks to our respected PM Shri @narendramodi ji, your auspicious feet fell, India is truly awakening due to your good words, people are now understanding Indian tourism and the specialty of our country. @incredibleindia เฅโ
เคฒเคเฅเคทเฅเคฏเคฆเฅเคตเฅเคช เคญเคพเคฐเคค เคเคพ เคเคธเคพ เคฆเฅเคตเฅเคช เคธเคฎเฅเคน เคนเฅ, เคเฅ เคฆเฅเคจเคฟเคฏเคพ เคเฅ เคเคฟเคธเฅ เคญเฅ เคฆเฅเคตเฅเคช เคธเฅ เคเคฎ เคจเคนเฅเค,เคเฅเค เคธเคพเคฒ เคชเคนเคฒเฅ เคเคฌ เคนเคฎ เคเคฏเฅ เคฅเฅ เคเฅเคฒเคพเคธเคพ @bandkailasa เคเฅเคจเฅเคธเคฐเฅเค เคเคฐเคจเฅ, เคญเคพเคฐเคค เคเฅ เคชเคพเคธ เคธเคฌ เคเฅเค เคนเฅ,
เคงเคจเฅเคฏเคตเคพเคฆ เคนเคฎเคพเคฐเฅ เคเคฆเคฐเคฃเฅเคฏ เคชเฅเคเคฎ เคถเฅเคฐเฅ @narendramodi เคเฅ, เคเคชเคเฅ เคถเฅเคญ เคเคฐเคฃ เคชเคกเคผเฅ, เคเคชเคเฅ เคถเฅเคญ เคตเคเคจ เคธเฅ เคญเคพเคฐเคค เคธเค เคฎเฅเค เคเคพเค เคฐเคนเคพ, เคเคจ เคฎเคพเคจเคธโฆ pic.twitter.com/AgwZWXFEeiโ Kailash Kher (@Kailashkher) January 7, 2024
Shilpa Shetty: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty also joined the movement to condemn Maldivian ministers and wrote on a Facebook post, โI am appalled and disgusted by the racist comments of some Maldivian ministers against our PM and our country. This is an insult to the millions of Indians who love and visit Maldives every year. I urge all my fans and followers to boycott Maldives until they apologize and rectify their mistake. #BoycottMaldivesโ
R Madhavann: Bollywood actor Maddy took to Instagram and posted, โI am shocked and saddened by the racist comments of some Maldivian ministers against our PM and our country. This is a betrayal of the friendship and goodwill that India has shown to Maldives. I have visited Maldives many times and enjoyed its beauty and hospitality. But I will not go there again until they respect our PM and our country. #BoycottMaldivesโ
#ExploreIndianIslands will never forget the brilliant time we had while filming my very first film #Alaipayuthey at Andaman Islands. The snorkeling was breathtaking โ incredibly beautiful, marine life that Iโve never seen anywhere else , as was the hospitality and the food. Iโฆ pic.twitter.com/l3zbAj70EE
โ Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) January 7, 2024
Anupam Kher: Best known for his recent work in โThe Kashmir Filesโ, actor Anupam Kher, condemning the incident said on โXโ, โI am deeply hurt and outraged by the racist remarks of some Maldivian ministers against our PM and our country. This is unacceptable and intolerable. India is a great nation and a true friend of Maldives. We demand an apology and action from the Maldives government. #BoycottMaldivesโ
Ace cricketers also joined the discussion, leading to a massive row.
Sachin Tendulkar: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar contributed to the conversation, reflecting on his own experiences in Sindhudurg where he celebrated his 50th birthday over 250 days ago. In a heartfelt post, Tendulkar expressed gratitude for the coastal town of Sindhudurg, which provided everything they desired and more. He highlighted the gorgeous locations and the warm hospitality and wrote on X โIndia is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine islands.โ Concluding his post, Sachin wrote โAtithi Devo Bhava.โ
Shikhar Dhawan: Taking to microblogging website X, cricketer Shikhar Dhawan condemned the statements by Maldivian ministers and said, โItโs disheartening to witness a government ministerโs negative stance towards India, labelled as a โpersonal opinion.โ Condemning such behaviour and calling for a diplomatic resolution to foster harmony between Maldives and India.โ
Itโs disheartening to witness a government ministerโs negative stance towards India, labeled as a โpersonal opinion.โ Condemning such behavior and calling for a diplomatic resolution to foster harmony between ๐ฒ๐ป Maldives and ๐ฎ๐ณ India. #GlobalUnity #Maldives
โ Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 7, 2024
Hardik Pandya: In a similar vein, Hardik Pandya shared his sentiments on X, expressing extreme sadness at the comments made about India. Pandya highlighted the beauty of Lakshadweep with its gorgeous marine life and beautiful beaches, describing it as the perfect getaway spot. He concluded his post with the hashtag #ExploreIncredibleIndia.
Extremely sad to see whatโs being said about India. With its gorgeous marine life, beautiful beaches, Lakshadweep is the perfect get away spot and surely a must visit for me for my next holiday ๐ซถ #ExploreIncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/UA7suQArLB
โ hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 7, 2024