PPM flouts decree, hangs 40ft banner linked to ‘India Out’ movement

A large banner linked to the ‘India Out’ movement has been put up outside the building where the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) office is located, less than two weeks after a banner outside the same building, and more outside other buildings in the Maldivian capital, were removed by police following a presidential decree banning the movement.

The new banner, measuring 40 feet in height and 12 feet in width, hangs down from the fourth floor of H. Hurafa.

The banner has the Indian national flag on it, with the blue wheel on the flag forming the ‘O’ in the word ‘OUT’.

‘India Out’ is a political campaign led by the opposition to protest against Indian military presence in Maldives.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih issued a decree banning the ‘India Out’ movement on April 21, deeming it a threat to national security.

However, the opposition continues to put up banners and graffiti the walls of buildings with slogans linked to the movement.

Graffiti linked to the ‘India Out’ movement is on display outside G. Green Beans on Rahdhebai Magu and G. Noofaruge in Alikilegefaanu Magu.

A banner linked to the movement reading ‘In Dear Out’ was put up outside H. Silver Wave.

Banners outside the PPM office and the residence of opposition leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom were removed by police the same say the presidential decree was issued.

However, the graffiti outside G. Green Beans and G. Noofaruge remains on display. Police have yet to take any action, other than jotting down the names of the owners of the two buildings.

President Solih said in his decree that the ‘India Out’ movement was a deliberate attempt to hinder the longstanding relations between Maldives and India, and international efforts to maintain security in the region, and that incitement to hatred against a specific country put Maldives at risk of loss of peace and stability, huge economic and social burden, and isolation in the international arena.