J&K CM orders report amid outrage over Gulmarg fashion show
text_fieldsSrinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered a report after a fashion show in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramzan drew widespread criticism on social media.
On Friday, a fashion show promoting a label's skiwear collection took place and sparked outrage after event videos were posted online.
According to the Chief Minister's office, he stated that action will be taken on Monday after the Chief Minister receives the report.
“The images I have seen show a complete disregard for local sensitivities, and that too during this holy month,” he said.
The Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, strongly condemned the incident, stating that "such obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated in Kashmir."
“Outrageous. That in the holy month of Ramzan, an obscene fashion show is organised in Gulmarg, pictures & videos from which have gone viral, sparking shock and anger among people. How could it be tolerated in the valley known for its sufi, saint culture and the deeply religious outlook of its people?” Mirwaiz said in a post on X.
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, the Srinagar MP and member of Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference, has strongly condemned a recent fashion show event in Gulmarg, calling it "shocking" and a form of "cultural invasion" disguised as tourism promotion. Mehdi criticised the event for showing complete disregard for Kashmiri sentiments.
Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chief Sajad Lone expressed a similar sentiment, stating that while he identifies as a liberal, he felt the timing of the event was off, calling it an "eminently avoidable event" during Ramzan.