Srinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent focus on bolstering tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has sparked controversy, as critics question the appropriateness of such initiatives in the politically sensitive and disputed region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Modi’s efforts to promote tourism in Kashmir, including the inauguration of several projects, have not silenced concerns about the area’s disputed status, a historical point of contention between India and Pakistan. Critics argue that the region’s ongoing conflict and complex political dynamics render it an unsuitable target for such endeavors.

Opponents of Modi’s tourism drive in Jammu and Kashmir highlight the incongruity of promoting leisure activities in a region marked by longstanding geopolitical tensions and conflict. A senior leader from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) emphasized that genuine tourism development requires a foundation of peace and stability, suggesting that the current strategy overlooks the underlying issues of military presence and political strife.

Despite these criticisms, the Indian government persists in its campaign to rejuvenate the local economy through tourism. However, the effectiveness of these efforts and their reception among the local population remain contentious points, reflecting the broader struggles over Jammu and Kashmir’s future.