The Maldives which was a supporter of India has also been forced to oppose Nupur Sharma’s case. The Maldives, which stood with India on Pakistan’s campaign of Islamophobia, is also now expressing concern over the statement of Prophet Mohammad.
The pro-India Ibu Solih government of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Maldives has issued a statement saying that it is deeply concerned by the derogatory remarks made by some BJP officials in India insulting the Holy Prophet Mohammed. The statement also welcomed the condemnation of the derogatory remarks by the Indian government and the suspension and expulsion of the two leaders.
The country standing with India- Maldives is an Islamic nation. This country of India is a small but very important neighbor. Before the Solih government in the Maldives, there was the government of Abdulla Yameen, who was anti-India and pro-China. She was kind against India and on China. After this, the Solih government came to power and immediately announced the India First policy. Pakistan joined hands with the United Arab Emirates to thwart the campaign of Islamophobia in the OIC. The Maldives then said that the statements circulating on social media do not lead to the sentiments of 1.3 billion people of India.
Controversy reached international level- Nupur Sharma controversy in recent times has also attracted attention from outside countries with the help of social media. This is the first dispute which is now being seen on a large scale at the international level, not domestic. Prior to Nupur Sharma’s case, the hijab controversy had also attracted Muslim countries.
Earlier this year, photos of the hijab controversy in Karnataka also went to the Maldives. There this controversy became a topic of discussion on social media. Hijab is not a mandatory dress in Maldives, but in Karnataka, videos of female protesters wearing hijab and burqa went viral and the issue was discussed in public there.
Along with the hijab controversy – Kuwait, Bahrain, Pakistan in the IOC criticized India over the hijab dispute, even the US saw the matter as an attack on freedom of religion. But even then Maldives stood apart from them and was shown in support of India. This time also, the ruling party there condemned Nupur Sharma’s statements but the late choice of words is showing India’s support only.
Opposition MP’s Resolution- On 6 June, an emergency resolution was introduced in Parliament by opposition People’s National Congress MP Adam Sharif Omar, calling on the government to condemn Nupur Sharma’s statement. Moving the resolution, Sharif said the sanctity and protection of Islam is deeply rooted in the Maldives.
The government was forced – out of the total 87 members present in the house, 43 members were present. The MDP has 65 members. All 33 members who voted to reject the motion were from the MDP. Later a newspaper published the names of all 33 members and called it shameful. Earlier the same day, the opposition alliance of PNC and Progressive Party of Maldives issued a statement condemning Nupur Sharma’s remarks. As the pressure increased, the government was forced to condemn it.