Srinagar: BJP's media in-charge in Jammu and Kashmir, Sajid Yousuf Shah, has alleged that he was denied accommodation at a hotel in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday because of his Kashmiri identity.
"An hour after I checked into a hotel in Aurangabad, I was asked to leave due to concerns linked to my Kashmiri identity. The owner was courteous and candid. He acknowledged that the decision was unfair and hurtful but said he was following instructions," Shah wrote on social media on Saturday evening.
"For decades, countless Kashmiris have worked to strengthen the bonds between Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of India. Most Indians have welcomed us with warmth and respect. Yet incidents like this show that stereotypes and apprehensions persist," he said.
"My faith in India and its people remains unshaken. I hope we continue moving toward a future where no citizen is judged by their region, faith, or identity, but by their character and conduct. That is the India we must strive for," Shah added.
NCP(SP) national spokesperson Anish Gawande described the incident as "incredibly unfortunate." "Maharashtra is built upon the ideals of Shivaji, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr BR Ambedkar. I am sorry that you, as a guest in our state, were treated this way," Gawande said, urging the chief minister to intervene.
The incident has sparked a political debate, with many condemning the alleged discrimination. Shah, a prominent BJP leader in J&K, has been vocal about issues related to Kashmir's integration with India. This is not the first time a Kashmiri has reported facing prejudice based on regional identity. The hotel owner's alleged compliance with instructions raises questions about systemic biases in the hospitality industry. As the matter gains attention, calls for an investigation and policy changes to prevent such incidents have emerged.
