In a startling turn of events, Raushan Sinha, a political commentator from Bihar living in Gujarat, has become the center of a diplomatic storm between India and the Maldives. His controversial post on social media, praising PM Modi’s Lakshadweep video and criticizing the new Maldivian regime, has set off a chain reaction leading to derogatory comments, suspensions, and a full-blown diplomatic crisis. Let’s delve into the details of this unexpected turn of events.
Raushan Sinha’s social media post, which initially seemed like an ordinary comment on PM Modi’s appeal for global tourists to visit Lakshadweep, took an unexpected turn when he labeled the new Maldivian government as a “puppet government” perceived to align with China. This comment triggered a strong reaction from Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, who referred to Prime Minister Modi as a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel.”
As a consequence of the derogatory remarks, Mariyam Shiuna, along with two other leaders from the ruling party in the Maldives, has been suspended, and the controversial post has been deleted. The incident has not only strained diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives but has also ignited a fervent response from Indian netizens who strongly objected to the offensive language used against their country and the Prime Minister.
In a subsequent clarification post on January 5th, Raushan Sinha addressed the controversy, stating that the intention was not to hurt the Maldives but to express opposition to the new Maldivian government, perceived as pro-China and anti-India. In an interview with OpIndia, Sinha shed light on the political dynamics in the Maldives, emphasizing the pro-India stance of the Opposition and the perceived pro-China alignment of the ruling government led by Mohamed Muizzu.
The timing of the controversy, just ahead of Muizzu’s scheduled visit to China on January 8th, adds geopolitical context to the situation. Furthermore, the row coincides with President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to China, where he and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed are scheduled to stay until January 12, 2024. A day before Muizzu’s departure, three ministers from his cabinet criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting Lakshadweep as a tourism destination for Indians.
