Ahead of the Maldives' parliamentary elections, opposition parties have urged an investigation and impeachment of President Mohamed Muizzu following a leaked report of his alleged corruption from 2018, which he denied. Watch to know more.

Maldivian president accused of corruption, opposition calls for probe

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid dubbed the offensive remarks made on social media against the fellow Indian natives and leaders as "odious" and "reprehensible" amid the uproar of protests around a deputy minister's disparaging remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He then called out the Maldivian government to identify the officials responsible and reprimand them.

The former foreign minister posted from his official X handle, "Derogatory remarks made by two Deputy Ministers of the current Maldives Government, and a member of a political party in the ruling coalition, towards Prime Minister @narendramodi and the people of India in social media is reprehensible and odious."

"Public figures must maintain decorum. They must accept that they are no longer social media activists and that they are now entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the interests of the people and the country," he added.

He further underlined that India was a 'time-tested' friend and 'unwavering' ally of the Maldives, adding that New Delhi has been the first to respond in "our time of need".

"Our close relationship has been bound by mutual respect, history, culture and strong people-to-people relations," he posted.&nbsp;

His remarks came after Mariyam Shiuna, the Maldivian deputy minister for youth empowerment, made disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media platform X.

The post shared by Shiuna, which has now been deleted, featured images of PM Modi from his recent visit to Lakshadweep.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-govt-suspends-ministers-who-made-racist-remarks-against-indians-to-target-pm-modis-lakshadweep-visit-677475">Maldives govt suspends three ministers over derogatory remarks on PM Modi</a>

<h2>These opinions are personal, says Maldivian government</h2>

Earlier on Sunday, the Maldivian government, in its response to the row over the minister's remarks, said that the opinions shared were "personal" and that they do not represent its views.

In a statement, the government said that appropriate action would be taken against the minister at the centre of the storm. Male said it is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals.&nbsp;

"These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives," read an official release by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry.

The government added it believes that freedom of expression should be exercised in a "democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners".

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid dubbed the offensive remarks made on social media against the fellow Indian natives and leaders as "odious" and "reprehensible" amid the uproar of protests around a deputy minister's disparaging remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid dubbed the offensive remarks made on social media against the fellow Indian natives and leaders as "odious" and "reprehensible" amid the uproar of protests around a deputy minister's disparaging remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He then called out the Maldivian government to identify the officials responsible and reprimand them. The former foreign minister posted from his official X handle, "Derogatory remarks made by two Deputy Ministers of the current Maldives Government, and a member of a political party in the ruling coalition, towards Prime Minister @narendramodi and the people of India in social media is reprehensible and odious." "Public figures must maintain decorum. They must accept that they are no longer social media activists and that they are now entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the interests of the people and the country," he added. He further underlined that India was a 'time-tested' friend and 'unwavering' ally of the Maldives, adding that New Delhi has been the first to respond in "our time of need". "Our close relationship has been bound by mutual respect, history, culture and strong people-to-people relations," he posted. His remarks came after Mariyam Shiuna, the Maldivian deputy minister for youth empowerment, made disparaging remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media platform X. The post shared by Shiuna, which has now been deleted, featured images of PM Modi from his recent visit to Lakshadweep. Also read: Maldives govt suspends three ministers over derogatory remarks on PM Modi These opinions are personal, says Maldivian government Earlier on Sunday, the Maldivian government, in its response to the row over the minister's remarks, said that the opinions shared were "personal" and that they do not represent its views. In a statement, the government said that appropriate action would be taken against the minister at the centre of the storm. Male said it is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. "These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives," read an official release by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry. The government added it believes that freedom of expression should be exercised in a "democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners". (With inputs from agencies)

‘Derogatory remarks against PM Modi odious, reprehensible,’ says ex Maldivian foreign minister

In a veiled attack on China, exiled former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed today accused &quot;a large, emerging power&quot; of &quot;land grab&quot; in the strategically located island and buying up its sovereignty.

He also said this year&#39;s elections in the politically- troubled nation were the last chance to save democracy.

Nasheed, 50, the country&#39;s first democratically-elected leader -- was sentenced to 13 years in jail on terror charges in March 2015 over the arbitrary arrest of chief criminal judge Abdullah Muhammed during his presidency.

He was granted asylum in the UK after he was authorised to seek medical treatment there amid mounting foreign pressure.

He said the opposition would put forward a unity candidate if he was prevented from contesting the elections.

He said it was important to vote out President Abdulla Yameen as &quot;a large, emerging power is busy buying up the Maldives&quot;.

&quot;Buying up our islands, buying up our key infrastructure, and effectively buying up our sovereignty. This land grab is very worrying,&quot; he said in Colombo without directly naming China.

The land grab was happening because of a Free Trade Agreement, Special Economic Zones and an amendment to the Constitution authorising foreign ownership of land or freeholds, Maldives Independent quoted him as saying.

The Constitution previously prohibited foreign ownership of any part of Maldivian territory but was changed in 2015. Critics fear the move could enable China to set up bases in the Maldives.

The Maldives recently signed an FTA with China, causing concerns in India.

This year&#39;s elections were the last chance to save democracy in the country, he said in Colombo, where his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activists are based.

&quot;If I can contest I will. If I am not allowed, it will be seen as unconstitutional,&quot; he said.

The opposition would not boycott the elections if Yameen ignored any UN ruling, he said, adding the four leaders were &quot;in principle, in agreement, about fielding a common candidate&quot;.

While President Yameen&#39;s term in office will end in November this year, according to the Constitution, the presidential elections are to be held in August.

Nasheed was narrowly defeated in 2013 by President Yameen. Nasheed says his conviction on terror charges was politically motivated.

The Maldivian government holds that Nasheed is convicted for a crime and is wanted in the Maldives to serve a jail sentence. Nasheed said he will seek UN support to ensure he is allowed to contest.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail on terror charges in March 2015 over the arbitrary arrest of chief criminal judge Abdullah Muhammed during his presidency.

In a veiled attack on China, exiled former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed today accused "a large, emerging power" of "land grab" in the strategically located island and buying up its sovereignty. He also said this year's elections in the politically- troubled nation were the last chance to save democracy. Nasheed, 50, the country's first democratically-elected leader -- was sentenced to 13 years in jail on terror charges in March 2015 over the arbitrary arrest of chief criminal judge Abdullah Muhammed during his presidency. He was granted asylum in the UK after he was authorised to seek medical treatment there amid mounting foreign pressure. He said the opposition would put forward a unity candidate if he was prevented from contesting the elections. He said it was important to vote out President Abdulla Yameen as "a large, emerging power is busy buying up the Maldives". "Buying up our islands, buying up our key infrastructure, and effectively buying up our sovereignty. This land grab is very worrying," he said in Colombo without directly naming China. The land grab was happening because of a Free Trade Agreement, Special Economic Zones and an amendment to the Constitution authorising foreign ownership of land or freeholds, Maldives Independent quoted him as saying. The Constitution previously prohibited foreign ownership of any part of Maldivian territory but was changed in 2015. Critics fear the move could enable China to set up bases in the Maldives. The Maldives recently signed an FTA with China, causing concerns in India. This year's elections were the last chance to save democracy in the country, he said in Colombo, where his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activists are based. "If I can contest I will. If I am not allowed, it will be seen as unconstitutional," he said. The opposition would not boycott the elections if Yameen ignored any UN ruling, he said, adding the four leaders were "in principle, in agreement, about fielding a common candidate". While President Yameen's term in office will end in November this year, according to the Constitution, the presidential elections are to be held in August. Nasheed was narrowly defeated in 2013 by President Yameen. Nasheed says his conviction on terror charges was politically motivated. The Maldivian government holds that Nasheed is convicted for a crime and is wanted in the Maldives to serve a jail sentence. Nasheed said he will seek UN support to ensure he is allowed to contest.

Nasheed accuses China of land grab in Maldives

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