Numerous Indian celebrities and social media influencers are now part of an online movement urging a boycott of the Maldives and its tourist destinations. This initiative comes in response to derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a minister from the Maldives.

The dispute originated during Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep, which gained popularity among travel enthusiasts. Modi inaugurated various developmental projects and showcased the island's scenic beaches, creating a buzz on social media. However, this move seemed to have offended some individuals in the Maldives, including government officials. Maldivian minister Mariyam Shiuna criticized Modi's visit in a now-deleted post on X, encouraging tourists to visit the Maldives through the #VisitMaldives trend. Some Maldivian netizens also posted racist and insulting comments targeting Indians.

In response to this, several Indian celebrities and online influencers have rallied behind calls to boycott the Maldives. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently joined the chorus, expressing his stance on X: "‘India Out’ was a part of the manifesto. Maldives voted for it. Now, it’s up to us, Indians, to choose wisely. I know that my family will. Jai Hind."

Actor Akshay Kumar condemned the comments from the Maldives' junior minister, emphasizing the importance of dignity and advocating support for Indian tourism by exploring the islands within the country.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, without directly mentioning the Maldives, actively participated in an online campaign to promote Indian beaches and tourist spots. Actor John Abraham also contributed, tweeting under the hashtag #exploreindianislands and encouraging tourists to visit Lakshadweep.

Social media influencer Sonam Mahajan urged Indians to cancel trips to the Maldives in response to the recent comments by a Maldivian minister. Mahajan emphasized the welcoming environment in Lakshadweep and questioned the rationale behind visiting a country whose people express hostility.

Another influencer shared a captivating image of the sunrise in Lakshadweep, urging Indians to choose the beauty of Indian destinations over the Maldives. "Sunrise in #Lakshdweep India. You won't see this in Maldives," captioned Baba Banaras, emphasizing the allure of Indian locales.