NEW DELHI, May 20 (Alliance News): Indian travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana’s Hisar district was arrested on allegations of spying for Pakistan, heightening concerns amid escalating tensions between the two countries.
According to sources details, Authorities accuse Malhotra, known for her popular YouTube channel “Travel with Jo” with over 382,000 subscribers, of espionage during her recent visit to Pakistan.
The charges reportedly include her contact with a Pakistani diplomat and a visit to Pahalgam three months before a recent attack in the region.
Her travel vlog shot in Lahore’s bustling Anarkali Bazaar has drawn scrutiny from Indian officials, especially in the context of rising hostilities following the Pahalgam incident.
Malhotra’s channel is recognized for showcasing travel experiences across India and abroad, including China, Indonesia, and Bhutan, focusing on local culture, transport, and scenic landscapes. Her previous positive coverage of Chinese infrastructure and Indonesian locations has been criticised by pro-government media.
Observers highlight that her arrest signals a troubling trend in India, where independent travel creators are increasingly viewed through political lenses, risking accusations over neutral cultural exchanges.
The move has sparked social media concern about the shrinking space for dissenting voices and cultural openness, seen as part of a wider effort to align media narratives with the government’s Hindutva ideology and limit cross-border engagement.
