New Delhi: Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra caused an uproar on Tuesday after he attacked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and asked her opinion on Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani.
"It can't be that you don’t accept Burhan Wani as a terrorist and then expect tourism to increase. Terrorism and tourism can't stand together," Kapil Mishra said at Bharat International Tourism Bazaar function at Delhi's Pragati Maidan, also being attended by Mehbooba Mufti.
It cant be that you dont accept Burhan Wani as a terrorist and then expect tourism to increase: Kapil Mishra to Mehbooba Mufti amidst uproar pic.twitter.com/bpQUqi2HK9
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
Terrorism & tourism cant go together. Mahesh Sharma said Kashmir is our pride, but terrorists are treated as tourists there: Kapil Mishra
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
Accusing Mufti of backing terrorists in Kashmir Valley, the AAP minister asserted, "How can we fight Pakistan if terrorists are sheltered in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti backs terrorists."
We can fight Pak, but how do we fight with people who give shelter to terrorists in J&K?: Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra pic.twitter.com/JL2gxbvsZO
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
"Terrorists are being treated as tourists in Kashmir. Yesterday two terrorists escaped from Baramulla. Where did they go? Somebody may have sheltered them. How long will this go on?," Mishra said.
"Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister does not accept Burhan Wani as a terrorist. She must clear her stand on Afzal Guru and Burhan Wani," he said further at the event adding that "Mufti must condemn Wani.
Mishra's statement however triggered an uproar and a brief commotion at the event.
The Arvind kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party however, has distanced itself from Kapil Mishra's controversial statement on Mufti. "We don't support Mishra's remark," a party leader reportedly told News18.
Watch the video here:
#WATCH "Cant say you dont accept Burhan Wani as a terrorist & expect tourism to increase" Kapil Mishra to Mehbooba Mufti amidst uproar pic.twitter.com/LmGdjj5tXw
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
Mehbooba, who addressed the gathering soon afterwards, came back strongly at Mishra's remarks while denying allegations of supporting terrorism in the Valley.
"When you take any place in the world, including Delhi, women are safest in Kashmir. There is no fear of getting raped in a car," the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said.
Compared to any place in the world, including Delhi, women & girls are safest; there is no fear of getting raped in a car: Mehbooba Mufti
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
"The biggest confidence-building measure is if you visit our state. That would show that you trust us," said Mehbooba, making a pitch for Kashmir as a tourism destination despite recent troubles in the Valley.
"We need you," she declared. "I don't know if you need Kashmir or not, but Kashmir needs you," Mehbooba added.
We need you, I dont know if you need Kashmir or not, but Kashmir needs you: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti pic.twitter.com/ZuwdTfQLFz
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
Haalat to aapne isse bhi kharaab dekhe hai; lekin aaiye aur Kashmir ki shaanti mei invest kijiye: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti pic.twitter.com/yKAhqlrnPj
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
Concluding her speech, she invited more investment in Kashmir's tourism sector, saying 'the situation had improved in the Valley, and that much worse days had been witnessed.'
