The recent social media altercation pitting Lakshadweep against the Maldives has sparked a wave of support for Indian island destinations. Celebrities, including Rupali Ganguly, Arjit Taneja, Arjun Bijlani, Ektaa Kapoor, and others, have fervently shown their endorsement for Indian islands over international locales.
Director Ektaa Kapoor chimed in, “It’s time to turn our gaze to the beauty of our Indian Islands! Let’s cherish the diversity and allure of our nation. Rediscover and treasure the gems within our borders 🇮🇳 #ExploreIndianIslands,” accompanying her message with picturesque landscapes of Lakshadweep.
Bollywood luminary Akshay Kumar voiced his surprise and concern over disparaging comments against Indians made by notable public figures in the Maldives. “We’ve been hospitable to our neighbors, but why tolerate such unwarranted hate? Let’s choose to #ExploreIndianIslands and bolster our domestic tourism,” he expressed.
In resonance with Akshay Kumar’s sentiments, actress Rupali Ganguly echoed her agreement.
Actor Arjun Bijlani also advocated for exploring India’s beauty, urging, “I’ve neither been to the Maldives nor will I ever go!!! After this wake-up call, I want to convey that the northeast is incredibly beautiful in our country. Let’s promote #IndianTourism!”
Renowned television personality and politician Ravi Kishan encouraged exploration, stating, “Discover the mesmerizing beauty of the Indian Islands – an unexplored paradise. From tranquil beaches to vibrant culture, there’s an adventure for every soul.”
Expressing her dismay, actress Hina Khan shared her disappointment over the disparaging remarks made by powerful individuals from the Maldives, emphasizing the need to #ExploreIndianIslands.
Prominent personalities from various domains, including sports stars like PV Sindhu, Shikhar Dhawan, and Rohit Sharma, as well as Bollywood figures like Kartik Aaryan, John Abraham, Varun Dhawan, Nimrat Kaur, among others, have joined the chorus to promote Indian islands over external destinations.
The trending hashtags #ChaloLakshadweep and #BoycottMaldives emerged following derogatory comments by certain Maldives government ministers, leading to their suspension. Indians rallied in support of Lakshadweep after social media backlash against PM Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, which faced criticism from Maldivian officials. The Indian populace, in response, is fervently promoting domestic tourism with the trending hashtags.