Lakshadweep

Zahid Rameez is a politician and a businessman from the Maldives, who is known for his outspoken views and criticism of the ruling party and its allies. He is also the person who mocked Modi’s Lakshadweep visit on social media, triggering a backlash from Indians and a diplomatic protest from India. Here is a brief profile of Zahid Rameez and the controversy he sparked.

Zahid Rameez: A Politician and a Businessman

Zahid Rameez is a council member of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), which is the main opposition party in the Maldives. He is also the managing director of Strada Pvt Ltd, a company that owns a property called New Port View in Male. He has been vocal in his opposition to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and its leader Mohamed Nasheed, accusing them of corruption and mismanagement. He has also been supportive of former president Abdulla Yameen, who is currently in jail for money laundering charges.

Zahid Rameez has been involved in some controversies in the past, such as:

Zahid Rameez: The Row Over Modi’s Lakshadweep Visit 2024

The row over Modi’s Lakshadweep visit started when the Indian Prime Minister visited the archipelago, which is a union territory of India, in January 2024. He shared some beautiful pictures of the islands on his social media accounts, showcasing the natural beauty and the development projects of the region. The pictures went viral and received appreciation from many people.

However, Zahid Rameez was not impressed by Modi’s Lakshadweep visit. He took to Twitter and Facebook to mock the PM and his pictures. In one of his posts, he asked if India could offer better services than the Maldives, implying that the Maldives was a superior tourist destination. He also used a derogatory term to refer to Indians, and questioned India’s sovereignty over the islands. He wrote:

“Modi’s Lakshadweep visit is a joke. He is trying to show off his fake development projects and his ugly pictures. Can India offer better services than the Maldives? I don’t think so. The Lakshadweep islands are part of the Maldives, and India is illegally occupying them. Modi should stop being a hypocrite and respect the environment and the people of the islands. He is a disgrace to the region and the world. #BoycottIndia #FreeLakshadweep”

His posts sparked outrage among Indians, who slammed him for his racist and disrespectful comments. Many Indians also called for a boycott of Maldives tourism, and urged the Indian government to take action against him. The Indian government lodged a formal protest with the Maldives government, and demanded an apology and action against Zahid Rameez.

The Maldives government was quick to respond to the situation, and tried to defuse the tension. It issued a statement distancing itself from Zahid Rameez’s comments, and reaffirming its respect for India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also assured India that the comments did not reflect the official position or policy of the Maldives. It also suspended Zahid Rameez from his post, and initiated an inquiry into his conduct. The Maldives government expressed its regret for the incident, and hoped that it would not affect the friendly relations between the two countries.

The Indian government also appreciated the Maldives government’s gesture, and accepted its apology. The two countries agreed to move past the incident, and focus on strengthening their cooperation and partnership.

The incident exposed the sensitivity of diplomatic relations, and the potential for social media to create misunderstandings and conflicts. It also highlighted the importance of careful communication and mutual respect in the realm of international diplomacy.

In conclusion, Zahid Rameez is a Maldivian politician who mocked Modi’s Lakshadweep visit on social media, and caused a diplomatic row with India. The two countries managed to resolve the issue with maturity and grace. The incident underscored the delicate balance of international relations, and the constant need for diplomacy and respect.