Tourism falls in Kashmir, Parliament must rise in solidarity

Convening parliamentary committee meetings in J&K will send a strong, reassuring message that the Indian State is present, attentive, sensitive, and responsive. It would also serve as a healing touch to the border towns, which bore the brunt during the military conflagration.

Jammu & Kashmir is paradise on Earth, and on April 22, the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists, shook the conscience of the nation. The attack not only targeted civilians enjoying the scenic beauty of Baisaran meadow, but also delivered a severe blow to Kashmir’s economic backbone — its tourism sector.

In the immediate aftermath, tourism in the Valley has virtually collapsed. According to recent data, tourist footfall has declined by an alarming 95 per cent! From 179,342 visitors in April, the number dropped to 6,951 by May 18. Hotels lie vacant, staff are being laid off, and over 28,000 vehicles registered under the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and associated unions have reported zero bookings since the attack. Many drivers are now struggling to repay loans and EMIs. Houseboats are deserted, with 90 per cent of the 850 houseboats lying empty, affecting the livelihoods of more than 3,000 families. Air and rail travel have also taken a hit, with passenger footfall at Srinagar airport dropping from approximately 10,000 per day before the attack, to just 4,000 by May-end.

It is the duty of the government to protect civilians from acts of terror; equally important is the responsibility to shield them from the long-term socio-economic consequences that follow in the event of an attack. As someone who has served as the Union minister of tourism, I understand both the devastating impact of such incidents have on local livelihoods and the tangible steps needed to restore faith, confidence, and economic stability in the region. We have seen the resilience of countries dependent on tourism to quickly recover from natural and man-made disasters and stand on their feet, to recover economically. Following the devastating India Ocean tsunami in 2004, several countries, like Thailand, quickly built their economic lifelines.

Recently, this author wrote to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and speaker of the Lok Sabha urging them to convene forthcoming meetings of all parliamentary committees in Pahalgam and other parts of J&K. Such a gesture would go beyond symbolism; it would be a bold and much-needed vote of confidence in the safety and stability of the region. It would reassure potential tourists, uplift local morale, and demonstrate to the world that J&K remains an integral and thriving part of India.

J&K is an inalienable part of our national identity, and, therefore, it is our collective responsibility to stand in solidarity with its people during this time of crisis. Just as all political parties displayed unambiguous solidarity during Operation Sindoor, we must once again unite to restore normalcy, rebuild livelihoods, and reaffirm hope in J&K.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has commendably cycled through the streets of Pahalgam to promote tourism, but the situation demands that all political parties in New Delhi extend their support.

Reports from border areas reinforce the urgency of this appeal. In Jammu’s Poonch district alone, over 10,000 structures have been damaged due to cross-border shelling. In Kashmir’s Uri and Karnah sectors, more than 650 structures have been impacted, 30 per cent of which have been destroyed. These are not just numbers; they represent families torn apart, homes lost, and futures rendered uncertain. Convening parliamentary committee meetings in J&K will send a strong, reassuring message that the Indian State is present, attentive, sensitive, and responsive. It would also serve as a healing touch to the border towns that bore the brunt during the military conflagration.

The recent inauguration of the iconic Chenab Bridge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have been a deeper confidence-building measure, but it turned out to be a photo-opportunity and a lost cause. Conveying parliamentary committee meetings in Pahalgam and other parts of J&K will also be an opportunity for India’s supreme law-making body, Parliament, to send a concrete message to the world that it denounces and will not be cowed down by cross-border terrorism.

The fight against terrorism is not limited to military action alone. It must also involve psychological and economic recovery. We must win back the trust of the people, especially those who have borne the brunt of violence, displacement, and financial ruin. Holding parliamentary committee meetings across J&K will show the people that they are not alone, that the nation stands with them, and that better days are ahead.

(Renuka Chowdhury, a former Union Cabinet minister, is a Rajya Sabha MP from the Indian National Congress. X: @RenukaCCongress.)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.