Drive to Collect Signatures for Defend Maldives Petition

A drive, as part of the opposition-lead "Defend Maldives" movement, took place in Hulhumale yesterday to collect signatures for a petition to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives.

The petition had been launched by the opposition Coalition at a ceremony held in the Carnival area at the beginning of the month.

The petition stated that the classified agreements that had been made between the Maldives and India granted India permission to utilize the Maldives and its resources for its military purposes. The petition further stated that such agreements contravened the Constitution and posed a threat to Maldivian sovereignty, economic freedom, and the integrity of its institutions. The petition called upon the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

Indian military personnel are currently stationed in three parts of the Maldives: Gan in Addu City, Kaddhoo in Laamu Atoll, and Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. The Indian military personnel have been stationed under varying pretexts; the personnel in Gan and Kaddhoo had been stationed to accompany the Indian military helicopters based there. The personnel in Hanimaadhoo had been stationed to accompany the Indian military's Dornier aircraft.

As Defend Maldives gains more support and signatures, even more Maldivians have taken to social media to voice their discontent at the presence of Indian military personnel in the country.