Yesterday, Twitter was abuzz with the outrage on the Swiss couple assaulted in Agra during their trip to Fatehpur Sikri. Even External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to assure Indians as well as tourists that the government is working for maintenance of law, order and safety for everyone.
I have just seen this. I have asked for a report from the State Government. / 1 https://t.co/NbJk4BF5iS via @TOICitiesNews
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 26, 2017
My officers will reach them in the hospital. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 26, 2017
A county like India which has such rich and varied culture and history to offer, tourism is one of the very important industries. Hence, the concern over safety of tourists is not misplaced.
While making the elected government accountable for their deeds is within your right, being an abusive troll and indulging in fear mongering is not something a responsible citizen should resort to. Akash Bannerjee, Vice President of popular radio channel Radio Mirchi, is known to be a hateful twitter troll, and has also been accused of spreading a fake video on Twitter.
Yesterday, Bannerjee shared another video, this time addressing foreign tourists visiting India, urging them to not visit us. At first he reached out to Swiss Broadcasting Company and passive aggressively informed them about the attack that took place yesterday. After about 10-12 hours of posting it, he put another tweet in the same thread, addressing same organisation saying how India is not safe for tourists and they should not come.
With lumpen elements openly targetting tourists; we’ll soon have to update our #IncredibleIndia ads.@RadioMirchi?️has a sample#MatAaoIndia pic.twitter.com/DjUf1YIADi
— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) October 26, 2017
The ad starts with how Incredible India welcomed tourists then (which is a non-specified time in the past) where things were great. But now, all tourist spots are unsafe and hence, instead of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ it is #MatAaoIndia. It was appalling. Safety is paramount, but is this a way to create awareness? This is more like fear mongering. If a reputed and popular radio station is running it, Indian tourism industry will come crashing down!
Soon, twitterati questioned whether Radio Mirchi, a respectable brand with a very wide reach and influence, stands by the video which reeks of sheer irresponsibility!
With lumpen elements openly campaigning #MatAaoIndia, I’ll never ever listen to @RadioMirchi again #MatSunoMirchi pic.twitter.com/I3V5Q5JlY6
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) October 26, 2017
This is very poor in taste nd totally uncalled for. U cant blame whole country for a small group of peoples crime. Be matured man https://t.co/YNyA930Hyw
— Faatima Ali (@Faatima433) October 26, 2017
Hey @smritiirani ji, does this amount to Anti-National act & peddling rumors by @RadioMirchi or is it again FoE and test of our tolerance? https://t.co/RdfqNhIn86
— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) October 26, 2017
Why would a radio channel @RadioMirchi willingly run something that maligns the country. Just because your staff hates the government? https://t.co/OaFTX6VDiP
— The Masakadzas (@Nesenag) October 26, 2017
Almost 10 million tourists visited India this year because of E-Visa.
I doubt if this incident was planned by these snakes to defame India. https://t.co/Sq7eNpNLIn— Jon Yadav ? (@AndColorPockeT) October 26, 2017
What kind of a retarded ad is this? Why are @RadioMirchi and @vineetjaintimes are investing in defaming India? https://t.co/HxtX2VnRcI
— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) October 26, 2017
Mat Aao India, Don’t Come to India, screams @RadioMirchi‘s DESPICABLE & UNACCEPTABLE campaign in the wake of an awful, terrible crime. SICK. pic.twitter.com/UfeJEC7c6N
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) October 26, 2017
Twitter users also pointed out that perhaps the Unified Access licence Department of Telecommunication guidelines could do with amendment such that the platforms of public goods are not misused.
Case in Point: radio Mirchi. Hate of Govt transcends to hate for India. Many able n willing ppl will use spectrum betr.Take it away frm them https://t.co/Es9l8nSNuq
— Ashu? (@muglikar_) October 27, 2017
It is really unfortunate that a brand like Radio Mirchi would want to dissuade tourists from visiting India because of one unfortunate incident.
