By Akhileshwari Anand Raj
Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, on 9th September, said that he had been denied permission at the eleventh hour to visit Chengdu, China for the 22nd edition of the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, being conducted from September 11th to 16th. Speaking to the media after his request was refused by the Ministry of External Affairs, he expressed his shock towards the narrow-mindedness of the Bhartiya Janta Party government at the Centre.
Surendran puts up defence
Surendran, responding to the controversy, said that there was no reasoning given for his permit being denied and a single word response to the same did not suffice. He stated that there is no reason except political for this decision, and that he had lost the great deal of respect that he had always held for Sushma Swaraj, the external affairs minister.
He commented further on the nature of the External Affairs Ministry, stating that this move clearly shows how narrow minded they are. He spoke about how this tourism conclave would have been nothing but beneficial for the state?s Tourism Department. Hindering the growth of a sector within India is nothing but counter-productive. He said that anyone with a passport can go to China, but the object of representing the state on such an international platform is now lost.
Reactions in Kerala
Kerala?s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan responded strongly to the incident, after Surendran said to the media that the Chief Minister will definitely know about this and action will be taken. The Chief Minister tweeted: ‘Kerala government registers strong protest against this discriminatory and biased decision of the Ministry of External Affairs.’
Further, he wrote to Prime Minister Modi to reconsider this decision and issue political clearance for Surendran?s travel to China. He stated that the decision of the Centre was unfortunate, and highlighted the significance of Kerala?s participation in an international arena like the UNWTO.
Surendran was the only Indian minister who was personally invited by the Secretary-General of the WTO, who had sent him a letter in early June. Following this, the minister had approached the Ministry of External Affairs for permission. Yet, he was denied permission to attend merely two days before the conclave began. Despite refusing his permit, two other bureaucrats from India attended the conclave.
This incident comes in the wake of the successful resolution of the 73 day long stand-off with China over Doklam. ?PM Modi also visited China on September 5th to attend the BRICS summit.
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