Chaos after Mishra questions Mehbooba on Wani

Chaos prevailed at an event attended by Union Minister Mahesh Sharma and J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti when Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra asked her if she considered Burhan Wani and Afzal Guru as terrorists or not, inviting protests from her entourage.

Mishra left the venue, saying he does not want to share the dais with her as he was forced to stop his address, following strong protests from some members in the audience and officials accompanying Mufti. 

Earlier, Mishra had said that tourism and terrorism cannot go together. Citing the recent terror attack in Baramulla, Mishra said terrorists behind it were at large and added that they must have been sheltered by some people in their homes. “How can it go on like this?” 

“It’s time to ask right questions. We can fight terrorists, we can fight Pakistanis, but how can we fight people who are sitting in Delhi and giving shelter to terrorists... We will fight insiders or outsiders. Terrorism and tourism cannot go together. Can it? It’s not possible,” in the presence of Mehbooba.

“She said about Burhan Wani that he would not have been killed had they been aware about his presence. She said he died mistakenly...It cannot be possible that you refuse to consider Wani a terrorist and then say that there should be rise in tourism. You say that Afzal Guru was not a terrorist and should not have been hanged, then say that tourism should increase,” he said.

Mishra added: “Before you (Mehbooba) leave, you will have to say if you consider Burhan Wani and Afzal Guru terrorists or not.” 

Referring to Sharma’s announcement of Rs 500-crore investment in J&K, he said, while the Centre and state governments had lined up big investments in the state, terrorists were being treated as tourists which was “very painful”.