A crisis of social cohesion

The Maldivian Democracy Network report which is under public scrutiny for its contentious remarks about Islamic faith sheds light on deeper societal issues in the Maldives. The situation signifies the fast eroding social cohesion of the country, which is neck-deep in larger social and political issues that demands immediate action and solutions. Identity crises, inequality, and injustice, enabled by unholy political alliances and widespread corruption, are perhaps the greatest fault lines that Maldives faces. This has become a real source not only of conflict but also of violent extremism; evidenced by the confrontational behavior among ideological divides, the number of Maldivians joining violent extremist groups, and the murders that have taken place in the country.

The 2012 undemocratic power transfer should be a lesson never forgotten. The government’s failure, hitherto, to address the increasing fragmentation of society played a huge role in the power transfer. The narratives mobilized by the then opposition was largely built on the ‘national identity’ former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom so well ingrained in the Maldivian psyche – one-people one-language one-religion. Today’s context, if unaddressed strategically, is likely to result in an unimaginable fissure along the fault lines, political turmoil, and instability.

Despite the generally disseminated idea of a singular identity, Maldivians represent diversity which should be acknowledged, respected, and accepted as is. The identity of oneness should be rethought and reconstructed grounded in the ideals of humility, equality, and justice. The expectations for a better democracy and a stronger human rights regime following the change of government in 2018 is far from becoming a reality. In contrast, what can be seen is that the State is sympathetic towards populist narratives which inherently promotes injustice, inequality, and intolerance.