Travel advisories issued by the US and the UK asking their citizens traveling Kerala to be vigilant in the backdrop of the violent protests against women’s entry to Sabarimala temple was an “insult” to the southern state, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said Sunday.

The advisory issued by the UK has warned its citizens to remain vigilant and avoid large public gathering in the wake of the violent protests in Kerala over the issue of women entering the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

The Foreign and Commonwealth office (FCO), which regularly updates its advice for travel to different parts of the world, had on Friday said that any British citizen planning to travel to Kerala should monitor media reports. According to media reports, the United States has also issued a similar advisory.

Kerala has been rocked by violent protests by right-wing groups after two women of childbearing age trekked the holy hills and offered prayers at the shrine on January 2.

Over 3,000 persons have been arrested till Friday night in connection with the violence. Kerala’s 10 per cent of the GDP comes from the tourism sector and the industry is worried that the frequent hartals and protests would severely impact the state which is slowly recovering from the massive devastation caused by the August floods.

The tourism sector has been exempted from January 8-9 all India strike called by the central trade unions.

Content Courtesy: Indian Express.