New Delhi— BJP West Bengal President and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has sparked controversy after advising Bengalis to avoid visiting Muslim-majority areas of Jammu and Kashmir, citing alleged security concerns. His remarks, made during a public event, have drawn sharp criticism from political parties across the spectrum, including voices from within the BJP itself, reported the Clarion India.
Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Adhikari claimed that militants selectively targeted tourists based on their religion. “Don’t go to Muslim-majority areas. If you want to see Kashmir, visit Jammu. Or else, explore Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, or Odisha — there are many places. In Pahalgam, they asked tourists their religion before killing them,” he said.
His comments came just a day after the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata — a move seen by many as politically significant.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) condemned Adhikari’s statement as deeply divisive and communal. TMC minister Shashi Panja retorted, “This is the kind of rhetoric you’d expect from across the border in Pakistan or Bangladesh. How can you dictate where Indian citizens should travel? Is this because Omar Abdullah visited Bengal?”
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) also slammed Adhikari, calling his remarks “irresponsible and shameful,” and accused him of undermining national unity in the name of security.
In an unexpected development, BJP’s own national executive member and former J&K party president Ravinder Raina strongly countered Adhikari’s statement. He invited him to Kashmir to “see the reality on the ground.”
“I request Suvendu Adhikari to visit Kashmir and witness the love Kashmiris have for India. During the Pahalgam attack, it was local Kashmiris who rushed barefoot to save the injured tourists,” Raina said.
Raina also recalled the contributions of Kashmiris to the nation. “From Mohammad Maqbool Sherwani in 1947 to today’s Kashmiri soldiers serving in the Indian Army — the Valley has consistently demonstrated patriotism. Kashmir is the crown of India, and India lives in the hearts of Kashmiris.”
He appealed to the people of West Bengal to travel to Kashmir and experience the warmth, hospitality, and patriotism of its residents firsthand.
The controversy has reignited debates over communal narratives and the politicization of national security issues, especially ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
