Amritsar – Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former MLA from Khadoor Sahib, has strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He simultaneously criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for allegedly using the attack as a pretext to conduct raids on hotels in Amritsar, Punjab, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), attempting to link the incident to the state.Brahmpura stated that while the incident in Pahalgam is deeply regrettable, it should not be exploited to disrupt the peaceful environment of Punjab, particularly Amritsar. He emphasized that the recent NIA raids on hotels in Amritsar have instilled unnecessary fear and apprehension among local businesses, hotel owners, and tourists visiting the region.
“The drop in tourist arrivals in Amritsar following the Pahalgam attack and subsequent raids is alarming,” Brahmpura stated. “Hotel bookings have plummeted by over 50%, and attendance at the Golden Temple has also decreased, a direct consequence of this manufactured climate of fear.”
Brahmpura emphasized the strong trade and tourism ties between Punjab and Kashmir, noting that both states rely heavily on tourism for their economic well-being. He asserted that the BJP government’s actions are not only condemnable but also detrimental to the economic interests of the people of both regions.
Turning to the issue of trade, Brahmpura took aim at what he described as the central government’s hypocritical trade policies. “Is it ‘good when my son works, bad when the other does?'” he quipped, questioning the disparity in trade practices. “We vehemently oppose terrorism emanating from Pakistan and believe that trade relations should cease until they dismantle their terror infrastructure. However, the central government needs to explain why, if trade is suspended via the Attari-Wagah border due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, billions of rupees worth of trade continue through ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra? Why this blatant discrimination against Punjab? If trade is to be suspended, it should be a uniform policy for all.”
Brahmpura urged the central government to take decisive action against Pakistani-based gangsters and terrorist organizations destabilizing Punjab and the country.
Brahmpura appealed to all domestic and international tourists, assuring them that Amritsar is a safe and peaceful city. He urged the government to cease harassing Amritsar hoteliers and tourists in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and to refrain from actions that disrupt the city’s peace.