A Karnataka Government tourism advertisement given to a Malaysian tourism magazine landed the Siddaramaiah Government in a major controversy over omitting part of Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East from the Indian map. The major Opposition BJP was quick to hit out at the State Government for the lapse. However, Karnataka Tourism Minister RV Deshpande said that the Government was not responsible for the lapse since the advertisements were released by agencies contracted for the event in Malaysia.
"The ad was released by a Singapore-based company which was given the responsibility of the event, in Malaysia. No way, our Government is responsible for the lapse. We did not release the ads," he said. He also said he would look into the mistake and initiate action against the agency. But senior BJP leader and party spokesperson in the state S Suresh Kumar feels it was a serious matter and involved the sovereignty of India. He said, "This is a very serious matter which affects the sovereignty of India. Many international forces, including Pakistan and China will take delight in such a lapse."
PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Travel Mart, an annual PATA signature event and a premier travel trade show in the Asia Pacific region, is being held here in September. PATA is coming to Bengaluru for the first time and for the third time to India.