Lakshadweep Google Searches Surge Exponentially, Highest In 20 Years After PM’s Visit

Global searches for Lakshadweep have increased by a huge percentage and is at it’s highest in the last 20 years. This exponential rise comes after PM Modi visited Lakshwadeep for a few hours.

PM Modi’s photos of ‘chilling’ on the island have created a buzz on social media. Speaking of, even the top Bollywood actresses including Sara Ali Khan and Janhnvi Kapoor are planning to join the ranks of PM Modi and visit Lakshadweep.

Boycott Maldives to explore Lakshadweep is trending on social media. Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal took to Twitter to criticize the Maldives after a few of the island nation’s lawmakers made disparaging comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Union Territory last week.

For the unversed, on January 3, Prime Minister Modi shared some photos from his trip to Lakshadweep, where he was seen strolling and taking in the views of the immaculate beaches. He even went snorkelling. Additionally, he had promoted the island to Indians as a travel destination.

Mohammad Faizal questioned why the Maldives should comment on what PM Modi said regarding the potential of tourism and other industries in Lakshadweep in an interview with news agency ANI.

He said, “One thing is sure Lakshadweep is going to be a new destination which is still to be explored. PM Modi came to Lakshadweep and stayed for a day and he said something which the people of Lakshadweep always wanted to have from a tourist perspective. I always wanted this government to have a policy for tourism because that will generate employment opportunities for youngsters. Why should the Maldives have a problem with that?”

How did the controversy start?

The controversy began over the weekend when Mariyam Shiuna, the Maldives’ deputy minister for youth empowerment, referred Prime Minister Modi as a “clown” and a “puppet” in posts that have now been removed from X. Following negative feedback on the microblogging platform, the tweets were removed. Other than Shiuna, MP Zahid Rameez said, “The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall.”

India raises issue to Maldives Government

India raised the issue to the Maldives Government against its lawmakers making derogatory remarks against PM Modi. The Maldives government disassociated itself from the dispute and suspended three of its ministers: Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, Mariyam Shiuna, and Malsha Shareef. It said that the comments expressed were “personal opinions” and did not reflect Male’s opinions.

Maldives flight bookings stopped

EaseMyTrip, an Indian online travel firm, declared early on Monday that it had stopped accepting reservations for flights to the Maldives as a result of the controversy, adding that the decision was made “in solidarity with our nation”. Founder Nishant Pitti tweeted, “In solidarity with our nation, @EaseMyTrip has suspended all Maldives flight bookings. #TravelUpdate #SupportingNation.”

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