Raa Atoll Dhuvaafaru Island Councillor Mariyam Yashfa has been summoned by police over a speech she gave during an opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally on Tuesday.
Yashfa told the media that she was first contacted by Dhuvaafaru Police Station, followed by a call from police in Malé. She was informed that the summons, expected to be served later on Monday, relates to remarks made at the rally. However, the exact date for her appearance before the police has not yet been disclosed.
The song, titled “Thee Bahuloolekey” and performed during the rally, includes lyrics that translate to: “You’re a Bahulool, you’re a devil, don’t come near me, don’t come near me.” The term “Bahulool” is used in Dhivehi to describe someone who deceives or cheats others.
The performance has since gone viral on social media, garnering thousands of likes and hundreds of thousands of views.
This marks the first instance under the current government where an individual has been summoned by police over remarks made at a political event.
Separately, MDP social media activist Hussain Shafiu was summoned by police on 1 December regarding a post made on X, formerly known as Twitter, on 8 November. Shafiu stated that the post was not directed at any individual and contained no content intended to instil fear.
Police have not yet commented on either case.