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Srinagar: Reports of Indian tourists consuming alcohol and dancing openly in public areas in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have caused an uproar among the local Muslim-majority community, raising concerns about cultural insensitivity.
According to Kashmir Media Service, international scholar and commentator Ashok Swain posted videos on his X account, commenting that “Hindutva-aligned tourists indulged in such activities in the snowy weather, disregarding the Islamic traditions of the territory.”
Swain highlighted the perceived double standards of these tourists by stating, “These are the same people who lynch Muslims in India over baseless accusations of eating beef, yet they show no respect for the cultural and religious values of a Muslim-majority region like Kashmir.”
The incident has deeply affected the residents of Kashmir, who have been hospitable to tourists despite the harsh winter, even opening mosque doors to provide shelter. Local residents expressed their frustration over the perceived disrespect, calling it a mockery of their generosity and religious traditions.
Community leaders and activists have demanded accountability, urging tourists to be mindful of Kashmir’s cultural ethos. They have also called on authorities to prevent actions that could disrupt the dignity and harmony of the region.