Srinagar: A fashion show held on the snow-covered slopes of Gulmarg during Ramadan has ignited a wave of criticism in Jammu and Kashmir. Videos of models walking the runway at the ski resort were removed from social media following backlash, particularly from J&K’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He denounced the event as an “outrageous” and “obscene” act that disrespected the religious sensitivities of the local population,reported the Times of India.
The show, organized by designer duo Shivan & Narresh on March 7 to mark their label’s 15th anniversary, drew sharp reactions. The designers issued an apology, stating, “We deeply regret any hurt caused by our recent presentation in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramadan. Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski & après-ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend anyone or any religious sentiments.”
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the event, questioning how such a display was permitted in the valley, which is known for its Sufi culture and deep religious roots. National Conference MP and Shia cleric Aga Ruhullah Mehdi also criticized the show, calling it part of a “cultural invasion in the disguise of tourism.”
Former Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Prof. Siddiq Wahid, went a step further, terming the event a “veiled threat” by “uncivilized forces in this country.” The controversy even reached the J&K Assembly, where PDP MLA Wahid Parra questioned how the government could be unaware of the show, asserting that such “nudity” was unacceptable in both Hinduism and Islam.
BJP’s J&K president, Sunil Sharma, accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of being linked to the event, alleging that the models and designers had stayed in a hotel owned by Omar’s relatives. However, CM Omar Abdullah distanced himself and his government from the show, stating that it was a private event held at a private venue with no government involvement. He acknowledged the concerns, adding, “Such an event should not have been held at any time of the year in a place like this, given the cultural and social ethos of our region.”
On the other hand, the Kashmiri Pandit organization Panun Kashmir took a different stance, condemning the backlash as an “assertion of religious supremacy in J&K.” Its chairperson, Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, stated that the controversy highlighted the “enduring grip of theocratic diktats” in the region.
The incident has once again highlighted the cultural and religious sensitivities in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the broader debate on the balance between tourism, tradition, and modernity.
