BJP J&K Leader Claims Denial Of Hotel Accommodation In Aurangabad; NC Calls It ‘Taste Of Own Medicine’

SRINAGAR: Sajjad Yousuf Shah, a BJP funtionary and co-media incharge for J&K , on Monday alleged that he was denied accommodation at a hotel in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, due to his Kashmiri identity. The claim quickly drew widespread attention, triggering reactions from political parties, activists, and social media users.

While Shah described the experience as deeply unsettling, leaders from the National Conference (NC) and others responded sharply, with some characterising the incident as a reflection of the very narratives often associated with his party.

Sharing his experience, Shah said the incident left him “deeply saddened.” He recounted that after checking into the hotel, he was asked to leave nearly an hour later, with the reason cited being concerns linked to his identity as a Kashmiri. According to Shah, the hotel owner handled the situation with courtesy and candour, openly admitting that the decision was unfair and hurtful, but explaining that he was acting under certain instructions. Shah said he appreciated the honesty of the owner and chose to leave without any confrontation.

Emphasising that his intention was neither to seek sympathy nor to assign blame, Shah said he shared the episode as a reflection of the deeper challenges that still exist in fostering trust and understanding. He noted that while laws and constitutional frameworks may unite a nation, building genuine trust among people takes much longer. For decades, he observed, countless Kashmiris have contributed towards strengthening ties between J&K and the rest of India. He acknowledged that the majority of Indians have welcomed Kashmiris with warmth and respect, but added that such incidents highlight the persistence of stereotypes and apprehensions.

Despite the experience, Shah reaffirmed his faith in the country and its people, expressing hope for a future where individuals are judged not by their region, religion, or identity, but by their character and conduct. He concluded that this vision represents the India that citizens must collectively strive to build.

In his post on 'X' , he tagged several top leaders, including the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, drawing attention to the issue.

However, Shah’s claims were met with strong reactions from the ruling NC in J&K. The party argued that the incident was symptomatic of a broader environment shaped by narratives of mistrust and hostility, which they alleged the BJP itself has often propagated. In a pointed response, NC leaders said that such an outcome was inevitable when political discourse consistently portrays Kashmiris—particularly young Muslim men—in a negative light.

NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar took a particularly sharp stance, describing the incident as “getting a taste of one’s own medicine.” In a post on 'X', he stated that the politics of hatred, which he claimed the BJP has spread across the country, had now come back to affect one of its own members. He further remarked that Shah’s experience underscored a deeper issue, suggesting that identity-based prejudices can override individual affiliations or loyalties.

Dar went on to argue that the episode should serve as a wake-up call, particularly for Muslims associated with the BJP. According to him, the incident illustrated that acceptance can often be conditional when viewed through the lens of identity politics. He urged introspection, stating that such experiences reveal the limitations of political alignment in shielding individuals from broader societal biases.