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Parliament OKs recommending to amend laws to stop India Out campaign

The Parliament on Monday passed a resolution to direct relevant state agencies to recommend to stop the "India Out" campaign by amending the law.

The opposition, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is leading a campaign to drive out Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, stating that they were a threat to national security. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih recently issued a presidential decree directing state agencies to stop the India Out campaign, also deeming it a threat to national security. However, the opposition has said it would not stop the efforts as long as Indian military personnel remains in the Maldives.

A motion on India Out activities was recently moved by Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, stating that the movement was a threat to national security. The 241 Committee investigated the issue and compiled a report, which includes 24 main findings.

Referring to a report sent to the committee by the Home Ministry, the report said phrases used on social media in connection with the India Out campaign and how the campaign was being carried out have led to threats and calls for violence. The committee report also cited the Home Ministry report as saying that the India Out campaign would have adverse impacts on Indians traveling to India for medical treatment and various purposes and those residing in India.

The committee report quoted a report sent to the committee from the Foreign Ministry as saying that activities carried out under the India Out campaign are causing serious harm to the security of the Maldives and its people. The report also noted that the country's internal stability and security could be adversely affected.

The committee report quoted the police as saying that the India Out protestors were disobedient to the police measures taken in connection with the India Out movement. The report noted that people with criminal records are participating in the campaign and such people are likely to commit dangerous acts.

Citing information sent to the committee by the defense ministry, the committee report said the India Out campaign is the most dangerous campaign being carried out in the Maldives in recent history and that the movement is detrimental to the safety and security of Indians living in the Maldives, and Maldivians residing in India.

A vote was taken on Monday on approving the committee report. The report was approved with the votes of 32 MPs. Therefore, the Parliament will be instructing relevant authorities to recomment stopping the 'India Out' campaign by amending laws.