BJP leader alleges hotel refused stay due to Kashmiri identity; owner denies claim

A BJP media unit officebearer from Jammu and Kashmir has alleged that he was asked to leave a hotel in Maharashtras Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar due to concerns linked to his Kashmiri identity reported the PTISajid Yousuf Shah BJPs comedia incharge for Jammu and Kashmir shared his experience on social media claiming the incident left him deeply disappointed and raised broader questions about equal treatment for all Indian citizensIn a post on X Shah said he had checked into a hotel in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar but was later asked to vacate the roomHe claimed the hotel management cited concerns related to his identity as a KashmiriShould any citizen of this country be made to feel unwelcome or be asked to leave late at night because of their identity or place of origin Shah wroteHe further stated that the hotel owner was polite and acknowledged that the decision appeared unfair but said he was acting on instructionsQuestions raised over equal treatmentShah said the incident highlighted the challenges that some Kashmiris continue to face despite efforts to strengthen ties between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the countryHe noted that most Indians have treated Kashmiris with warmth and respect but added that incidents such as this suggest that stereotypes and apprehensions still existAccording to Shah he was not sharing the experience to seek sympathy or blame anyone but to draw attention to the importance of fairness and inclusiveness according to the PTIHe also questioned how an ordinary Kashmiri traveller with limited resources would cope in a similar situationMumbai Maharashtra On the denial of room by the hotel authority at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar BJP Media Incharge of JampK Sajid Yusuf Shah says As I was travelling from Srinagar to Shyam Nagar at around 11 or 12 in the night I checked out in a hotel The manager there toldhellip pictwittercomSMssmdZlyOmdash IANS ians_india June 8 2026Hotel owner rejects allegationThe hotel owner denied Shahs claim and maintained that the issue had nothing to do with his identitySpeaking to reporters the owner said the room allocated to Shah had already been booked and should not have been assigned by hotel staffAccording to him once he became aware of the situation he instructed staff to refund the payment because the hotel was fully occupiedThe owner also stated that the establishment had previously accommodated guests from Kashmir after verifying their identity documentsNo confrontationShah said he appreciated the hotel owners honesty and chose to leave without creating a disputeThe incident has sparked discussion on social media with users debating issues of discrimination regional identity and equal treatment for citizens travelling across different parts of IndiaNo official complaint had been reported at the time of writingwith PTI and IANS inputs