Renowned actor and politician Paresh Rawal recently engaged in a social media clash with journalist Sagarika Ghose over her commentary on the state of Indian tourism amid the ‘Boycott Maldives’ trend. Ghose’s remarks prompted Rawal to dub her a ‘termite’ for her perspective.
The controversy unfolded when Zahid Rameez, a council member of the Progressive Party of Maldives, mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, asserting that India couldn’t rival Maldives in terms of tourism. In support of the ‘Boycott Maldives’ movement, Bollywood celebrities advocated for choosing Indian islands for vacations.
On January 8, Sagarika Ghose shared her views on the matter via X, underscoring the need for top-notch infrastructure and an inclusive cultural atmosphere for successful tourism. She called for a reality check on Indian tourism, unfavorably comparing it to Maldives.
https://x.com/sagarikaghose/status/1744207120352854092?s=20
Paresh Rawal responded to Ghose’s post, stating,
“She is pathetically so predictable! As expected, the Termites are crawling out of the woodwork.”
The social media spat unfolded amid escalating tensions between India and Maldives in the tourism sector, with PM Modi’s visit and the subsequent call to boycott Maldives gaining traction.
The controversy has not only sparked online debates but has also drawn attention to challenges and opportunities within India’s tourism industry. Numerous Bollywood actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut, John Abraham, and more, expressed support for the Boycott Maldives movement.