Sajid Yousuf Shah, BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir co-media in-charge, has alleged that he was asked to leave a hotel in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar because of concerns linked to his Kashmiri identity.
In a post on X, Shah said he had checked into a hotel in the city, formerly known as Aurangabad, but was allegedly asked to vacate the room nearly an hour later.
“An hour after I checked into a hotel in Aurangabad, I was asked to leave due to concerns linked to my Kashmiri identity,” Shah wrote.
He said the hotel owner spoke politely and openly about the matter, admitting that the decision was unfair but claiming he was acting under instructions.
“The owner was courteous and candid. He acknowledged that the decision was unfair and hurtful but said he was following instructions,” Shah added.
‘Trust Takes Time to Build’
Shah said he was sharing the incident not to seek sympathy or blame anyone, but to highlight the continued existence of stereotypes and suspicion faced by Kashmiris.
“For decades, countless Kashmiris have worked to strengthen the bonds between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. Most Indians have welcomed us with warmth and respect. Yet incidents like this show that stereotypes and apprehensions persist,” he said.
He maintained that his trust in India and its people remained strong.
“My faith in India and its people remains unshaken. I hope we continue moving toward a future where no citizen is judged by their region, faith, or identity, but by their character and conduct. That is the India we must strive for,” Shah wrote.
He further said legal unity alone is not enough to bring people together.
“I am not sharing this for sympathy or to blame anyone. Moments like these remind us that while laws can unite a nation, trust and understanding take longer to build,” he said.
Shah Responds to Criticism Online
After his post gained attention, Shah said some people criticised him without understanding the broader concern he was trying to raise.
He said that the issue was not about his personal experience alone but about fairness for all citizens, especially ordinary Kashmiris travelling across the country.
“If this was only about me, I would not have raised it publicly,” Shah said, questioning whether any Indian citizen should feel unwelcome because of their identity or place of origin.
He also noted that he had travelled extensively across India and had never faced a similar experience before.
“Maharashtra and Delhi are the places where I have spent the most time after Kashmir, and I have always felt warmth and belonging there,” he said.
NCP(SP) Leader Calls Incident ‘Unfortunate’
Reacting to the allegation, NCP(SP) national spokesperson Anish Gawande described the incident as “incredibly unfortunate” and apologised to Shah for the experience.
“Maharashtra is built upon the ideals of Shivaji, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr BR Ambedkar. I am sorry that you, as a guest in our state, were treated this way,” Gawande said while urging the state chief minister to intervene in the matter.
