PremiumLakshadweep-Maldives row: Netizens are left divided on actor Unni Mukundan's post, slams 'political agenda'
Unni Mukundan shared a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lounging at a Lakshadweep beach and said he has made it a goal to visit this place.
Unni Mukundan, Photo of Narendra Modi in Lakshadweep | Photo: Instagram
Last Updated: 11.52 AM, Jan 09, 2024
Actor Unni Mukundan posted on social media about his views on the Lakshadweep-Maldives controversy on January 9. He shared a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lounging at a Lakshadweep beach and said he has made it a goal to visit this place.
Responses over his Lakshadweep post
Unni Mukundan’s January 9 Instagram post has received a mixed response, with many criticising the actor for backing the prime minister and his political ambitions. A few others have mentioned in their comments that these kinds of posts have made them unfollow the actor on Instagram.
“It was just 406 km away from Kerala …still he need suggestion of someone from Gujarat to get it in bucket list,” one wrote.
A few, meanwhile, expressed their joy that a Malayalam film industry artiste was endorsing the concept of boosting tourism in Lakshadweep. Fans of the actor also extended their support below this social media post.
Social media attacks on the actor
Unni Mukundan has received a lot of backlashes on social media platforms for his political views and allegations such as he used Hinduism to promote films like Malikappuram and Jai Ganesh.
He was embroiled in a controversy after it was claimed that he had abused a YouTuber for mocking his parents and the young artiste who had costarred with him in his most recent hit film, Malikappuram.
The actor had responded by saying that it is acceptable to give a movie review or voice one's opinions because it is the audience's right after all, and they paid for the ticket. "I was offended by the remarks that individual made about me on a personal level. There is no justification for the content creator to claim that I sold Lord Ayyappa for my own benefit," he continued.
Additionally, he criticised an online publication that claimed he was exploiting Hinduism to make money from his films. He stated on social media that one can refrain from watching Jai Ganesh if they believe that the film has a hidden agenda behind it.
Unni Mukundan also conveyed his dismay at the way that public areas are being used to stir up hatred only because he was in a movie that disagrees with the political and ideological views of a specific community.
Lakshadweep- Maldives row
A rift is brewing between India and the Maldives following social media posts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsing Lakshadweep tourism.
Three deputy ministers in the Maldives' Ministry of Youth Affairs, Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, sparked the controversy when they made derogatory remarks about India and the Prime Minister following his recent visit to Lakshadweep.
Some of the Maldivian officials also conjectured that PM Modi's trip to Lakshadweep was intended to undermine the country's tourism industry, which is primarily focused on beach vacations.
Indian netizens swiftly responded, pledging not to go on vacation there and advocating for a boycott of resorts and hotels in the Maldives. In response to the move, a travel website also suspended all reservations for flights to the Maldives. Several Bollywood celebrities also came in support of Lakshadweep tourism.
These comments against foreign leaders, according to Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer, do not represent the Maldivian government’s official stance.