Was Kerala’s Tourism Invite to Jyoti Malhotra a Red Carpet for Espionage?

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 08: Kerala’s Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas has responded to criticism over YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s visit to the state before her arrest on spying charges. He clarified that the Kerala government had no role in selecting her for the influencer campaign. She was invited by a designated agency long before any case surfaced. Riyas strongly denied claims that the state gave any “special treatment.” The arrest has stirred political tension, with BJP leaders alleging carelessness. However, the state insists it had nothing to do with her travel or background verification.

Political Accusations Stirred Up After RTI

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla cited an RTI reply, claiming Malhotra’s Kerala visit was state-sponsored. His statement, “So Bharat Mata is blocked and Pak spies are given red carpet,” sparked outrage. In response, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said dragging the state into a national security issue is wrong. He blamed the BJP for turning the issue into a political weapon. The CPI leader felt the central government, not the state, must explain how the YouTuber passed intelligence checks and got clearance to travel.

CPI Questions Role of Central Agencies

Sandosh Kumar raised strong questions about national security being a central subject. He asked if the Kerala government approved Malhotra’s foreign visits or placed her in contact with suspicious people. Passport, visa, and intelligence monitoring are Union-level responsibilities. He called it “outrageous” to shift blame to a state government. CPI claims BJP is using the issue to hide its own failures in handling serious threats. Instead of passing blame, they want accountability from the Centre for repeated intelligence gaps.

The Real Role of the State in the Visit

Mohammed Riyas reminded that influencer selection was done by an external agency, not the government directly. Kerala’s tourism campaigns have long invited content creators to promote the state’s beauty. The invitation to Malhotra came before her alleged connections were known. No part of her visit involved security clearance by the state. Her participation in the campaign was like that of many others, based only on social media reach. It was not a special or political selection. Riyas said political mudslinging was uncalled for.

A Larger Question on National Security

The CPI also pointed at other national-level cases where people linked to terror were allegedly associated with BJP. They said the Centre cannot ignore its own lapses while blaming others. Kumar said national security must be taken seriously, not used for political fights. If someone slipped through the system, the full system—not just a state—must be reviewed. He added that the people of India deserve answers. They do not deserve any kind of finger-pointing. A clear explanation is needed on how and why such threats go unnoticed until it’s too late.