Jammu, May 28: The Department of Tourism, J&K is under fire after announcing Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi as the star guest for an event at the Suchetgarh border. Locals are furious and have openly questioned the department’s decision, calling it tone-deaf and disrespectful to the sentiments of border residents and the region’s culture.
The event, which was advertised as a tribute to the Armed Forces and a show of support for families living along the Indo-Pak border, was promoted on X (formerly Twitter) with the line: “Join us for an amazing evening at the Suchetgarh border and watch your favourite celebrity Huma Qureshi honouring our Armed forces & support border affected families.”
But for many in Jammu, this wasn’t “amazing” at all.
Soon after the post, people from across Jammu started expressing their anger and disbelief.
“What has she got to do with Jammu?” wrote Seetu Mahajan Kholi. “How sad.”
“Poori kayanat mein inko sirf Huma Qureshi hi mili batao,” posted Vikramjeet Singh Manhas, mocking the department’s choice.
Shivani Vaid, another local, didn’t hold back:
“I fail to understand how a relatively lesser-known Bollywood actress was chosen as the chief guest for a cultural event at the Indo-Pak border. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to invite real heroes — our soldiers or their families? What exactly is Jammu tourism trying to promote here?”
“Shameful,” “insensitive,” and “detached from the ground reality” were some of the words used by others.
Dr. Vikas Padha posted bluntly: “This is not amazing, this is shameful. This event should be boycotted.”
Activist Manu Khajuria also questioned the intent behind the event. “Hard to believe she is Jammu’s favourite celebrity. If we want to teach good values, it would’ve been better to call veterans or serving officers. Jammu is Veer Bhumi — let’s respect that.”
Activist Rohit Choudhary Posted: “We don’t need Huma Qureshi to promote our culture. We face Pakistani shelling without fear — we don’t need courage lessons from Bollywood. Whoever decided this, it’s the worst decision ever.”
Till the time of filing this report, there was no update or clarification from the Tourism Department on X regarding the public outrage over the issue.
