Poonam Pandey’s recent actions have garnered admiration in the wake of insults directed at India by Maldivians. The social media frenzy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s snorkeling expedition during his recent visit to Lakshadweep became a talking point. The images and videos from his visit received positive feedback on social media platforms.
PM Modi acknowledged the warm welcome and support for the fresh travel arrangements, expressing gratitude for the hospitality of India’s smallest Union Territory.
During his visit, PM Modi also praised the natural beauty of Lakshadweep and the warmth of its residents. However, the unexpected outcome was a stir in our neighboring country.
Maldivians voiced derogatory comments against India, surprising given the traditionally strong ties between the two nations.
Many Maldivians perceived PM Modi’s visit as an attempt to divert Indian tourists from the Maldives, leading to disparaging remarks from several Maldivian ministers about the Indian prime minister. Deputy Minister Mariyam Shiuna’s negative comments particularly sparked outrage on Indian social media, giving rise to the ‘Boycott Maldives’ movement.
Noteworthy personalities from Bollywood, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Kangana Ranaut, John Abraham, Shraddha Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and others, supported Lakshadweep or criticized the Maldivian government. The hashtag ‘Explore Indian Island’ gained traction on social media, encouraging Indians to prefer Indian islands over the Maldives.
Amidst escalating tensions, Poonam Pandey entered the conversation, urging fans to ‘Explore Indian Island.
‘ She took to social media to announce her decision to prioritize her country, emphasizing the hashtag #NationFirst and canceling her Maldives shoot in favor of shooting in Lakshadweep.
Poonam Pandey’s tweet stated,
“I love shooting in the Maldives, but I will never shoot there again. When my next shoot was scheduled in the Maldives, I informed my team that I would not fly if the shoot was in the Maldives. Fortunately, they agreed, and now I’m hoping to shoot in Lakshadweep. #cancelledshoot #NationFirst #ExploreIndianIsland @narendramodi.”
https://x.com/iPoonampandey/status/1744051329193197830?s=20
Her post quickly gained viral attention, sparking various reactions.
As the debate continued, both the Maldives and India issued statements about the situation. While India expressed concerns over the state of affairs, the Maldivian government took action to distance itself from Mariyam Shiuna’s statements. Additionally, three ministers, including Mariyam Shiuna, have been suspended by the Maldivian government.