In a shocking revelation, the Kerala Marxist Communist government welcomed a Pakistani spy as a state-sponsored guest under its influencer tourism campaign. Jyoti Malhotra now arrested for espionage was flown across scenic Kerala with taxpayer money, even as she was building links with Pakistan’s ISI. This disgraceful incident exposes the reckless functioning of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government, which appears to be blind to national security. The arrest of Malhotra following the Pahalgam terror attack has rightly triggered national outrage and calls for accountability from the Kerala leadership.
‘Spy’ Invited as State Guest: Kerala Govt’s Alarming Lapse
In a disturbing development that has stunned the nation, the Kerala government has come under fire for funding the travel and stay of Jyoti Malhotra a YouTuber now under arrest on espionage charges linked to Pakistan. Malhotra, popularly known as “Travel with Jo,” was one of 41 social media influencers hosted by Kerala Tourism as part of its digital outreach campaign to promote the state globally.
An RTI query confirmed that Malhotra’s trip covering Kochi, Munnar, Kannur, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram was fully paid for by the government. The initiative, hailed by the Kerala administration as an innovative influencer marketing campaign, has now been overshadowed by revelations that one of its star guests was allegedly a Pakistani spy.
The move has raised urgent questions about background checks, national security loopholes, and the glaring negligence of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Communist government.
Political Firestorm: BJP Slams Kerala Govt
Following the RTI revelation, opposition leaders have launched scathing attacks on the Kerala government. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted, “RTI reveals Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on Left government invite & was a state guest courtesy Tourism Dept. Bharat Mata is blocked and Pak spies are given red carpet by the Left?”
He further demanded that Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas who is also Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son-in-law be sacked and probed. Poonawalla described the entire incident as a “security scandal” and accused the Kerala government of compromising national interest for ideological and political carelessness.
Former Kerala BJP chief K Surendran, who had flagged Malhotra’s trip a month earlier, lashed out at Kerala’s mainstream media for ignoring the issue until now. “When I raised this, they turned a blind eye. RTI proves everything. Kerala’s security is not your family business, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan,” he thundered.
Kerala Govt’s Shocking Track Record With Anti-India Elements
This isn’t the first time the Kerala government has drawn flak for being soft on anti-India forces. The state has previously witnessed pro-Pakistan slogans during rallies, multiple arrests of ISIS sympathizers, and the notorious recruitment of several youths into extremist outfits. Intelligence agencies have repeatedly flagged Kerala as a hotspot for radicalisation, especially via digital platforms.
In 2020, multiple cases emerged of individuals from Kerala joining ISIS in Afghanistan. In 2022, the NIA arrested a Kannur-based man for alleged links to global terror networks. Yet, despite repeated warnings, the Left-led government continues to turn a blind eye or play victim when confronted.
The inclusion of a suspected Pakistani asset like Malhotra in a taxpayer-funded influencer programme is just the latest example of Kerala’s dangerous laxity. And this time, the failure may have allowed sensitive geographical and logistical data to be collected under the guise of travel vlogging.
National Threat in the Name of Tourism?
Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest came in May 2025 after intelligence agencies linked her to Pakistani handlers. The investigation revealed she had visited Pakistan several times, including just before the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians. A video surfaced showing her shopping in Lahore while flanked by men with AK-47s evidence of her deep access in Pakistan.
Agencies are now investigating whether her Kerala vlogs featuring visuals of Theyyam performances, sensitive locations, and infrastructure were a cover for gathering intelligence. With 487 videos uploaded across Indian and foreign destinations, her digital footprint is now under intense scrutiny.
Such lapses are not just embarrassing they are dangerous. When state governments open their doors to unknown influencers without thorough checks, they create a backdoor for enemy operatives to exploit. In a time of hybrid warfare and digital espionage, the cost of such negligence could be catastrophic.
Kerala Gvt: Accountable for National Security Breach
The Kerala government’s decision to sponsor a Pakistani spy’s journey across the state under the garb of tourism promotion is nothing short of a national security scandal. In an age where digital platforms are weaponized by hostile states, the role of Jyoti Malhotra must be probed thoroughly but the buck doesn’t stop with her.
Those in charge of inviting, vetting, and hosting her must also be held accountable. From Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to his son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas, the Left leadership must explain how such a grave lapse occurred on their watch. India cannot afford state-sponsored carelessness when the stakes involve the nation’s integrity and safety.
The people of Kerala and of India deserve transparency, accountability, and above all, zero tolerance for appeasement of anti-national elements. This is not just a tourism debacle. It’s a wake-up call for the nation.