A suspended minister from the Maldives has issued an apology following a social media post that stirred controversy with the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) due to its use of an image resembling the Ashok Chakra symbol.
In a statement posted on X platform, Mariyam Shiuna, a member of the same political party as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, expressed regret over the recent social media post that garnered criticism. “I would like to address a recent social media post of mine that has garnered attention and criticism. I extend my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the content of my recent post,” she stated.
Clarifying the unintentional nature of the imagery, she explained, “It was brought to my attention that the image used in my response to the Maldivian opposition party MDP bore a resemblance to the Indian flag. I want to make it clear that this was entirely unintentional, and I sincerely regret any misunderstanding it may have caused.”
Highlighting the significance of Maldives’ relationship with India, Shiuna emphasized, “Maldives deeply value its relationship and, the mutual respect we share with India. In future I will be more vigilant in verifying the content I share to prevent such oversights.”
Shiuna’s post had replaced a compass on an MDP poster with a symbol resembling the Ashok Chakra. The timing of the post coincided with diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives following President Muizzu’s assumption of office, marked by his calls for the withdrawal of Indian troops and closer ties with China.
President Muizzu’s subsequent visit to China and statements hinting at a policy shift were seen as a departure from previous diplomatic alignments. However, amid approaching elections, Muizzu has adopted a conciliatory stance towards India, reaffirming its status as the Maldives’ “closest ally” while seeking debt relief.
Shiuna’s controversial remarks have put the People’s National Congress in a delicate position, given the sensitivity of bilateral relations. This isn’t the first time she has drawn attention for her comments on India, having previously sparked backlash over remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, eliciting a sharp response from former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed. Subsequently, Shiuna and two others were suspended as ministers.
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