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This is an archive article published on April 26, 2025

After outrage over influencer’s ‘terror has no religion’ comment, Madhya Pradesh tourism dept distances itself from her

Mittal said, “Saying anything on this issue is critical and sensitive for me. In the media, there is talk of terrorists and terrorism. I, on the other hand, think terrorism has no religion.”

YouTuber and Instagram influencer Tanya Mittal has over two million followers on her social media accounts.YouTuber and Instagram influencer Tanya Mittal has over two million followers on her social media accounts. (Photo - Tanya Mittal/Instagram)

After Instagram influencer Tanya Mittal’s comments that terrorism has no religion led to an uproar on social media, the Madhya Pradesh government has come out and said that she was not associated with the state’s tourism department.

In the wake of the attack on tourists at south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed on Tuesday, Mittal said, “Saying anything on this issue is critical and sensitive for me. In the media, there is talk of terrorists and terrorism. I, on the other hand, think terrorism has no religion.”

She also said that her friends were helped by local Kashmiri people who brought them to Srinagar. “This is a time when we all have to think sensitively… Terrorism has no religion. India has only one religion, that is Bhartia. We are all Indians and we are together in this,” she said.

Her comments triggered outrage in some sections of social media, with many calling for her to be boycotted. Some also claimed that she had been making content for the Madhya Pradesh tourism department as an ambassador.

Following this, the tourism department issued a clarification: “Please note that Ms Tanya Mittal is not associated with MP Tourism in any capacity.”

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh Police took action against individuals regarding their social media posts in connection with the Pahalgam attack.

On Thursday, two youths were arrested in Damoh district for allegedly posting inflammatory content on Facebook following the terror attack. The Jabalpur police also booked a man for allegedly posting an objectionable comment on social media related to the attack.

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The militant attack on Tuesday in the popular tourist destination in Kashmir claimed the lives of 25 tourists and one local who was ferrying tourists on horses.

 

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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