Chaos prevailed at the Bharat International Tourism Bazaar function on Tuesday after Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra shot a few “uncomfortable” questions at J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba, who had come to attend the event, asking her whether she considered Burhan Wani and Afzal Guru as terrorists or not, inviting protests from her entourage.
Mishra left the venue, saying he does not want to share the dais with her after he was forced to stop his address following strong protests from some in the audience and officials accompanying Mehbooba.
In defence, J&K CM said, “The biggest confidence building measure is if you visit our State, it shows that you trust us. We need you, I don’t know if you need Kashmir or not, but Kashmir needs you.
“Compared to any place in the world, including Delhi, women are safest in my Kashmir. That is the biggest thing my State can offer. They can come alone and there is no fear of getting raped in a car. They move around in shikaras and houseboats.”
Earlier, Mishra said, “Can tourism and terrorism go togetherIJ How will tourism grow in IndiaIJ Before leaving she (Mehbooba) has to tell us if she considers Burhan Wani and Afzal Guru terrorists.”
The Delhi Minister’s remark didn’t go down well with Mahbooba’s entourage, who objected to it. Unperturbed, Mishra said, “It cannot happen that you (Mehbooba) do not accept that Burhan Wani was a terrorist, and seek boost in tourism.
“You say Afzal Guru is not a terrorist, and that he should not be hanged. And then you seek boost in tourism. How will tourism growIJ It won't grow.”
Mishra said, “There are some very strong emotions that I want to share. It is very painful that terrorists are being treated as tourists in Kashmir. When they (terrorists) attacked Baramulla, two of them ran away. Where have they goneIJ Someone must have given them shelter.”
He was referrring to the Sunday night terror attack on an Army camp in Baramulla, in which one BSF constable was killed and one injured.
"We can fight Pakistan, but how will we fight people who give shelter to terrorists in J-K", asked Mishra.
Mehbooba became "quite emotional" as she broke down after hearing her late father and former J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's voice in a video clip on Kashmir tourism.
Hailing the Indian democracy, Mehbooba said, "I am proud of the Indian democracy… you don't have to use guns to express your views." She said she had immense faith in country's democracy. Mehbooba urged people of other States to visit J&K in order to build confidence among people of India. Union Culture Minister, Mahesh Sharma said the Centre has sanctioned `500 crore for the tourism industry in Kashmir.
He said while India has everything, we have yet not been able to tap the tourism potential of this country. Kashmir Valley has been undergoing curfews and protests for three months.