CM on 'obscene' Kashmir fashion show: Not just Ramzan, govt won't permit it in any month

Amid controversy over the Gulmarg fashion show held during the month of Ramzan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday (March 10) said his government would have never given permission for such an event in any month of the year.

The fashion show has been billed as "obscene" by many and sparked off a ruckus in the Assembly.

Inquiry ordered

“We have already ordered an inquiry into it but preliminary facts revealed that it was a private four-day event organised by a private party in a private hotel. The fashion show was held on December 7 and certain things have come to the fore, which hurt the sentiments of the people who are not wrong,” the chief minister informed the assembly.

Making a statement in the House after the Question Hour, which was disrupted for the first nearly half-an-hour over the issue of the fashion show and three civilian killings in Billawar area of Kathua district, the chief minister said the “disappointment and concern” of the members of the assembly are genuine.

At the Gulmarg fashion show, it was designer duo Shivan and Narresh who were showcasing their skiwear collection, which is being labelled as "obscene". The critics have accused it of disregarding local, cultural and religious sentiments.

The pan-India brand, based in New Delhi, has been worn by several Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Dita Von Teese, Nicki Minaj, Padma Lakshmi, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Sonam Kapoor, and Shilpa Shetty

Obscene fashion show

Meanwhile, Kashmir's chief priest, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday lashed out at the obscenity in the name of tourism promotion and said that this will not be tolerated.

"Outrageous! That in the holy month of Ramzan an obscene fashion show is organised in #Gulmarg, pictures and 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?" the Mirwaiz said in a post from his X handle.

Also read: Omar Abdullah urges reclaiming PoK and China-occupied J&K territory

CM reacts

Reacting to the post, the chief minister had said “the shock & anger are totally understandable. The images I have seen show a complete disregard for local sensitivities & that too during this holy month.

“My office has been in touch with the local authorities & I’ve asked for a report to be submitted within the next 24 hours. Further action, as appropriate, will follow from this report,” Abdullah wrote in his post on X.

Not applied their mind

In the assembly, the chief minister said those who organised the fashion show have not applied their mind, showed disregard to the public sentiment and paid no attention to where they are organising it and its timing.

“Some people are saying that such a show should not have happened in the month of Ramzan. After what I have seen, I am of the opinion that it should not have taken place any time of the year,” Abdullah said.

The chief minister said he wants to make it clear that there is no role of the government in organising the event.

Private event

"It was a private party, organised at a private hotel and distributed invitations privately. No permission was sought from the government, no money was taken from the government, no government infrastructure was used and no government official was present in the event.

“Despite all this, the administration was asked that if the inquiry points to the violation of law, hand over the case to police who will do its investigation,” Abdullah said.

He said if permission would have been sought from the government, it would not have given the permission for such an event. “If law has been violated, strict action will be taken.”

Ruckus in Assembly

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed heated exchanges between Opposition and treasury benches on Monday as members raised various issues, including the killing of civilians in Kathua and the Gulmarg fashion show controversy.

As the House assembled for the day, members of the National Conference, People's Democratic Party, and two Independents stood up and raised the issue of the fashion show, terming it "obscene" and alleging that it hurt sentiments.

The MLAs demanded a probe into the facilitation of such a show during Ramzan. PDP MLA Mir Mohmmad Fayaz raised the demand, and NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq also raised the issue.

Also read: Omar Abdullah visits Sonamarg fire site, pledges support

Widespread criticism

The fashion show held in the winter tourist resort of Gulmarg during the fasting month of Ramzan has evoked widespread criticism.

The Speaker told the House that concerning the Gulmarg fashion show, an inquiry has been ordered by the chief minister, therefore, it cannot be discussed in the House.