Guwahati: Veteran journalist Patricia Mukhim has rejected criticism from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over her recent piece on tourism in Meghalaya, saying her article did not target Assam or any particular community and called instead for a sustainable tourism policy.
Mukhim’s column criticised so‑called day‑trip tourism to Shillong — visitors who arrive in the morning, spend little at local businesses and leave by evening — arguing such behaviour adds to traffic congestion, increases carbon footprints and contributes little to the local economy.
She urged that tourists be encouraged to spend more time in Meghalaya, staying a day or two to meaningfully support local businesses rather than treating destinations as picnic spots. The article, she said, was meant to prompt Meghalaya to assess how many visitors it can sustainably accommodate each day.
The column, titled “Meghalaya Can Do Without Maggie Noodle Tourism”, drew a sharp response from Chief Minister Sarma. Speaking to the media in New Delhi on Wednesday, he named Mukhim and said some intellectuals in Meghalaya opposed tourists from Assam while a larger section welcomed them. He accused her of writing against Assam tourists in a way that could incite people and linked the contrast in views to tensions between the two states.
Sarma also appealed to Assam residents’ affection for Shillong and suggested developing alternative destinations inside Assam, naming Diphu, Haflong and Umrangso. He added that a proposed airport at Umrangso had already been discussed with the central government.
Mukhim disputed the portrayal of her article as “anti‑Assam”, saying that narrative had grown from a social media video in which one person was heard speaking a particular language. “Why should an entire community be held responsible for the actions of one or two people?” she asked, and called it unfair to blame a whole group.
She criticised Sarma for linking a social media post to her earlier article and described his response as “very unbecoming” of a chief minister. Mukhim said responsibility for developing sustainable tourism rests primarily with the Meghalaya government and its Tourism Department, which she urged to consult tour operators and ordinary citizens affected by congestion.
On wider tensions, Mukhim said social media disputes tend to be short‑lived as public attention moves on, but she called for dialogue between the Assam and Meghalaya governments to resolve outstanding border issues. She opposed highway blockades, saying people should not be held to ransom by such disruptions.
Responding to questions about her Padma Shri on social media, Mukhim said she received the award for social work, notably the Shillong We Care campaign against militancy, and told critics they could petition the Government of India if they believed the honour should be withdrawn. She added that criticism is inevitable when writing about sensitive issues and said she was not concerned about offending people through her views.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/patricia-mukhim-responds-to-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarmas-remarks-on-meghalaya-tourism.html
Category: Meghalaya,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-08-29 07:15:00
