Amid a diplomatic row over Maldivians minister’s controversial statements in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, travel company EaseMyTrip has announced to cancel all bookings to Maldives. EaseMyTrip is the first such company to announce such a drastic measure, as social media users claim to have cancelled their bookings to the island nation.
Maldives is facing the backlash on X.com, formerly Twitter, after some government officials from the Maldivian Govt gave controversial remarks about India, Lakshadweep and Prime Minister Modi over a social media generated fight.
Also read: Can Lakshadweep Overthrow Maldives To Attract More Tourists? Entry Permit, How To Reach
What EaseMyTrip Said?
Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, Prashant Pitti, in an interview to ANI, said, “…Our company is entirely homegrown and made in India. Amid the row over Maldives MP’s post on PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, we have decided that we will not accept any bookings for Maldives…We want Ayodhya and Lakshadweep to turn out as international destinations…”
He further said, “Our company has recently taken the decision to not accept bookings for Maldives. The reason for this is the row over Maldives MP’s post on PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. We have taken this decision to establish ‘nation first and business later’…”
In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings ✈️ #TravelUpdate #SupportingNation #LakshadweepTourism #ExploreIndianlslands #Lakshadweep#ExploreIndianIslands @kishanreddybjp @JM_Scindia @PMOIndia @tourismgoi @narendramodi @incredibleindia https://t.co/wIyWGzyAZY
— Nishant Pitti (@nishantpitti) January 7, 2024
Maldives-Lakshadweep Tourism Row
The issue erupted after the recent visit of PM Modi to the archipelago of Lakshadweep on an official visit. Modi posted some photographs from his visit, doing snorkelling and taking walk on the beach at one of the islands. He invited Indians to explore the beauty of Lakshadweep.
One X.com user compared Lakshadweep with Maldives stating that this visit is a masterstroke by PM Modi to put Lakshadweep on the tourism map and create an alternative to Maldives, which is siding with China. Following the same, a Maldives minister accused India of targeting the nation.
Also read: PM Modi Goes Snorkelling In Lakshadweep, Shares His ‘Tranquil’ Experience
Other govt officials from Maldives also joined him to create a false narrative against India. Many Indians on social media have claimed that they have cancelled their planned holidays to the island nation. Additionally ‘#BoycottMaldives’ is also one of the top trends on X.com in India.
Now, the Maldavian govt is claiming to have sacked the three ministers who tweeted against India on X.com. Further, the Maldavian Ambassador to India was called upon by the Ministry of External Affair to discuss the matter.
Interestingly, PM Modi, in his series of tweets from Lakshadweep, never compared it to Maldives. While the whole fiasco was Social Media generated, a handful of Maldavian govt officials converted it into a diplomatic row.