After the string of reports about violence against Kashmiris from across the country in the fallout of Pulwama attack, another image has surfaced on the internet from a hotel in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra stating: ‘KASHMIRIS ARE NOT ALLOWED HARE FOR STAY’, and WE ARE INDIAN, VEER SUPUTRO KO SHRADHANJALI (Homage to our brave sons).
Manager of the hotel, Firdaus Ali, justified the pamphlets issuing the restriction and said, as quoted by Hindustan Times, he took the step as Kashmiris were against India’s defense forces and threw stones at them in Kashmir.
“How can we welcome those who attack our army jawans? We are open to them if they change their attitude towards our army men in Kashmir,” said Mr. Ali, who runs the hotel at Idgah area of Agra.
Rakesh Chauhan, the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Agra, condemned the move. According to the reports, Mr. Chauhan admitted he had come to know about two hotels in Idgah area which had decided to deny rooms to Kashmiris. He added that he has asked the local police and district administration to intervene.
“Kashmiris are our brothers and in no way, the move can be justified. Terrorism is affecting Kashmir but residents there cannot be blamed for violence. We have to act against terrorists and not against Kashmiris there,” Mr. Chauhan said while speaking to the Hindustan Times.
Agra Sadar’s additional superintendent of police, who is responsible for the Idgah area, Uday Raj Singh he is unaware of the pamphlets. “We are yet to come across any such restriction placed by hotels,” Mr. Singh said. The police official said he was not clear if police could intervene in such a matter.
Courtesy Hindustan Times
