Unnecessary Row: Kerala Minister on Invitation to ‘Spy’ Jyoti Malhotra
Recently, a controversy has been brewing in Kerala over the invitation extended to Jyoti Malhotra, an alleged Pakistani spy, to promote the state’s tourism. The Kerala Tourism Minister, PA Mohammed Riyas, has now reacted to the controversy, terming it as an “unnecessary row”.
As reported by Times Now, Riyas said, “She has gone to many other states. She has gone to states ruled by different political parties. Are all the governments in those places responsible for this?” This statement comes in response to the criticism and backlash faced by the Kerala government over the invitation extended to Jyoti Malhotra.
For those who may not be aware, Jyoti Malhotra, a Canadian national, was arrested by the Indian authorities in 2019 for allegedly spying for Pakistan. She was accused of passing on sensitive information to Pakistani agents and was subsequently granted bail.
The controversy surrounding Malhotra’s invitation to promote Kerala’s tourism began when a video surfaced on social media showing her visiting the state’s famous tourist spots, including the iconic Bekal Fort. The video sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the wisdom of inviting an accused spy to promote the state’s tourism.
The Kerala government faced severe criticism from various quarters, including the opposition parties, which demanded an explanation for the invitation. The opposition parties accused the government of being irresponsible and naive, saying that inviting an accused spy to promote tourism would tarnish the state’s image.
However, Riyas, the Kerala Tourism Minister, has now come out to clarify the situation. According to him, nobody knew about Malhotra’s past when she was invited to promote Kerala’s tourism. He said that she was invited by a local event management company, which had previously worked with her on a project in another state.
Riyas’ statement has sparked a debate on the role of the government in such matters. While some have argued that the government should have been more cautious and vigilant in verifying Malhotra’s credentials before extending the invitation, others have pointed out that the government cannot be held responsible for the actions of private event management companies.
The controversy has also raised questions about the efficacy of the security agencies in identifying and tracking down spies. If Malhotra was able to move around the country without being detected, it raises concerns about the effectiveness of our security apparatus.
In the aftermath of the controversy, the Kerala government has taken steps to tighten the screws on event management companies that operate in the state. According to reports, the government has issued a circular to all event management companies, asking them to verify the credentials of their clients before partnering with them on any project.
The controversy surrounding Jyoti Malhotra’s invitation to promote Kerala’s tourism is a reminder of the need for vigilance and caution in such matters. While the Kerala government may have acted in good faith, the outcome has been to spark a controversy that has tarnished the state’s image.
In conclusion, the unnecessary row over Jyoti Malhotra’s invitation to promote Kerala’s tourism is a lesson to all stakeholders involved in promoting tourism in the state. It highlights the need for greater vigilance and caution in verifying the credentials of clients before partnering with them on any project.
