Kerala Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas on Tuesday responded over reports suggesting Jyoti Malhotra, an Indian vlogger accused of spying for Pakistan, was invited by the state government to promote tourism. Clarifying the government’s position, Riyas said Malhotra was invited by the agency designated to select the influencers and the state had no role in it.

He also said the vlogger visited Kerala much before her role surfaced in the alleged espionage case. The minister added that famous vloggers are being invited to revive Kerala tourism after natural disasters.

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This came after the BJP slammed the Kerala Government for inviting ‘Pak Spies’ and giving them a ‘red carpet welcome’ in the state. The saffron party also sought the Tourism Minister’s resignation.

“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 posted on X.

Pakistan spy accused Malhotra visited Kerala on the state government’s invitation before her arrest on espionage charges, ANI reported citing an RTI. Malhotra allegedly participated in a tourism promotion initiative led by the Kerala Tourism Department, which sponsored a team of social media influencers to boost the state's presence as a preferred travel destination.

The RTI reply categorically suggests that the social media influencer’s expenses, including her travel and stay, were borne by the state government. According to official records, cited by the news agency, Jyoti Malhotra visited Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha and Munnar.

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Jyoti Malhotra was arrested on May 16 by Haryana Police over her alleged links with Pakistani officials. She is currently lodged in judicial custody.