Minister’s claim on ‘India Out’ T-shirt challenged with photo evidence in Parliament

Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel faced scrutiny in the Parliament on Monday after Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem filed a complaint alleging the minister misrepresented his involvement with the 'India Out' campaign. The complaint stems from Khaleel's recent statement denying he had been seen on social media wearing a T-shirt bearing the 'India Out' slogan.

During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, MDP Parliamentary Group Leader and Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil questioned Khaleel directly on the matter, asking if he had worn an 'India Out' T-shirt and used social media to advocate against diplomatic ties with India.

In response, Khaleel asserted, "None of you will have seen me wearing an India-Out T-shirt on social media, but you may have seen me wearing a T-shirt related to Maldivian independence and sovereignty. I am proud of that."

However, MP Meekail Naseem subsequently submitted a contempt petition, presenting evidence from social media that allegedly contradicts Khaleel's statement. Along with the petition, Meekail shared a photograph purportedly showing Khaleel wearing an 'India Out' T-shirt on a street during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ 2025 ވަނަ އަހަރުގެ ދެވަނަ ދައުރުގެ 25 ވަނަ ޖަލްސާއަށް ހާޒިރުވެވަޑައިގެން، ޙާރިޖީ ވަޒީރު ޑރ. އަބްދުﷲ ހަލީލް ކަނޑައެޅިގެން އިތުރުފުޅު ހައްދަވާފާވާތީ، މަޖިލީހުގެ އިމްތިޔާޒަށް އަރައިގަތްކަމުގެ މައްސަލައެއް ހުށަހަޅައިިފިން. pic.twitter.com/xIOjvzHxLt

— Meekail Naseem (@MickailNaseem) August 18, 2025

The 'India Out' movement, a significant nationwide campaign advocating for the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives, played a pivotal role in bringing the current government to power. Many prominent figures within the administration, including President Muizzu himself, were seen publicly wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the 'India Out' slogan.

Khaleel had previously attributed leadership of the 'India Out' movement to former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom, noting his current detachment from the ruling PNC.

Relations between the Maldives and India experienced unprecedented strain early in the current government's term after several deputy ministers made disparaging remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. Since then, President Muizzu has undertaken significant efforts to mend diplomatic ties. Notably, Prime Minister Modi was recently in the Maldives to commemorate the 60th Independence Day.