Pak 'spy' Jyoti Malhotra was invited by Kerala as state tourism influencer: RTI
"People know about it. Do you think the ministers or the government in Kerala would arrange everything for her to carry out espionage? This was a standard practice the tourism department has followed for years," he said. The minister also urged to verify how influencers are shortlisted, stressing that neither the ministers nor the government directly handle such invitations."It's a serious issue and everyone should exercise more caution. Please check the procedure," he added.Meanwhile, the BJP has criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government, questioning why the backgrounds of influencers invited for the campaign were not thoroughly vetted beforehand."RTI reveals Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on Left government invite & was state guest in a sense courtesy Tourism Dept. So Bharat Mata is blocked and Pak Spies are given RED CARPET by Left? Tourism Minister Mohammad Riyas is son in law of Vijayan. He should be sacked.. and investigated," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X.Jyoti, who was arrested on May 16, just days after Operation Sindoor, was among 41 social media influencers engaged by the Kerala Tourism Department between January 1, 2024, and May 21, 2025, official RTI documents have revealed. During the state-sponsored promotional campaign, she travelled to Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, with the government covering her travel costs and providing her an honorarium for the assignment.- EndsMust Watch
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