Mamata Banerjee expressed her desire to promote tourism in Kashmir and planned a visit during Durga Puja. Shuvendu Adhikari reacted with displeasure and appealed to Bengalis not to visit Kashmir.
West Bengal: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, is visiting West Bengal. During this time, he met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nabanna, Kolkata. Omar Abdullah thanked Mamata Banerjee for sending assistance to Jammu and Kashmir after the recent attack in Pahalgam and also invited her to visit Kashmir.
Mamata's desire to visit Kashmir during Durga Puja
Accepting Omar Abdullah's invitation, Mamata Banerjee said that she would visit Kashmir around Durga Puja. She said that the central government should take serious steps to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and to secure the international border. Mamata also appealed to the people of Bengal to visit Kashmir and overcome any feelings of fear. She said that there was no need to be afraid because the central government and Omar Abdullah would ensure security.
Suggested shooting in Kashmir to the Bengali film industry
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also appealed to the artists and producers of the Bengali film industry to shoot in Kashmir. Simultaneously, she also invited artists from Jammu and Kashmir to visit West Bengal during Durga Puja and Republic Day. Mamata said that Kashmir is a beautiful place and cultural exchange between Bengal and Kashmir should be promoted.
Shuvendu Adhikari's sharp reaction to Mamata's statement
Opposition leader Shuvendu Adhikari reacted sharply to the Chief Minister's announcement of a visit to Kashmir and the appeal to the people of Bengal to visit Kashmir. He said that the people of Bengal should not go to Kashmir, especially in those areas where the Muslim population is higher. Shuvendu claimed that some people from Kolkata were killed in the Pahalgam attack and it is no longer safe to visit Kashmir.
Shuvendu's strict message regarding Kashmir
Shuvendu Adhikari said, "I have told the people of Bengal not to go to Kashmir. You can visit states like Uttarakhand, Himachal, but do not go to Kashmir." He claims that our people were targeted and killed in Kashmir and this threat still exists. He called Mamata Banerjee's statement irresponsible and said that it could endanger the people of the state.
Omar Abdullah's jibe at the central government
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah also took a jibe at the central government's claim of making Jammu and Kashmir a "paradise" between 2018 and 2024, saying that if Kashmir has indeed become a paradise, it is a good thing and can be compared to Bengal. But if the BJP says that Kashmir is still in crisis, then they should apologize to the people there.
