The fashion show held in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramzan has sparked major controversy in Jammu and Kashmir. Many people, including political leaders, social activists, and religious figures, have strongly criticised the event.
Following the backlash, the organisers admitted that the show may have hurt public sentiments and issued a public apology.
PDP youth leader and MLA from Pulwama expressed his outrage, stating that no society would allow such events. He questioned how a semi-nude fashion show could take place in Gulmarg while authorities remained unaware. He compared the situation to restrictions imposed by the RSS on Valentine's Day across India and argued that such events, held in the name of tourism, go against both Hindu and Muslim traditions.
He also accused the organisers of being insensitive to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that such a show would not be permitted in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. He demanded that officials who approved the event be removed from their positions immediately.
He also pointed out that during her tenure as Information and Broadcasting Minister, Sushma Swaraj had banned Fashion TV, implying that such events were not even allowed under Hindu traditions.
Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-Ul Islam, voiced his concerns and called for an investigation into who was responsible for organising the show. Iltija Mufti also questioned the government, asking whether former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was trying to promote such activities in Kashmir during the sacred month of Ramzan.
Also Read: J&K CM opposes Gulmarg fashion show venue choice
The event received widespread condemnation from both Muslims and non-Muslims, who saw it as an attack on the cultural and religious values of Jammu and Kashmir. Social media erupted after images from the show went viral, with many users calling it a deliberate act and a sign of moral decay.
Kashmiri human rights activist Deepika Pushkar Nath expressed her anger on social media, stating that as a Kashmiri Hindu, she found the event disgraceful. She said that Kashmir’s cultural identity was being damaged under the pretext of modernity.
While she clarified that she was not against fashion, she emphasised the importance of respecting time and decorum and urged people to stop promoting nudity in the name of progress.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the J&K assembly questioned how such an event could have taken place without Omar Abdullah’s knowledge. He alleged that the hotel where the fashion show was held belonged to the relatives of the former Chief Minister, implying that Abdullah may have been directly or indirectly involved.
Also Read: Gulmarg fashion show sparks controversy, designers apologise
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