Gulmarg Fashion Show Sparks Uproar in J&K Assembly, CM Seeks 24-Hour Report Amid Public Outrage.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Tejveer Singh March 10,2025 ||
Srinagar :A controversial fashion show held in the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg has ignited a political firestorm in Jammu and Kashmir, with the state Assembly witnessing intense uproar on Monday. Members across party lines demanded a discussion on the issue, calling for accountability and immediate action against those responsible for what has been widely criticized as an act of insensitivity during the holy month of Ramadan.
The controversy erupted following the Ski & Après Ski 2025 festival, organized by luxury fashion label Shivan & Narresh on March 7 to mark its 15th anniversary. The high-profile event, intended to showcase ski-wear designs featuring art prints on Gulmarg’s pristine snow-covered landscape, quickly turned into a subject of mass outrage due to the revealing attire worn by models.
CM Omar Abdullah Orders Probe, Expresses Shock and Anger:
Amid escalating criticism, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah broke his silence on Sunday, terming the public anger “totally understandable.” Expressing his shock over the event, he directed the authorities to submit a detailed report within 24 hours and assured further action based on its findings.
The shock & anger are totally understandable. The images I have seen show a complete disregard for local sensitivities, and that too during this holy month (Ramadan). 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,” stated Omar Abdullah.
The Chief Minister’s Office also issued a statement acknowledging the widespread resentment and concerns voiced by the public.
Massive Public Outcry: Religious and Political Leaders Demand Action:
Religious and political leaders have strongly condemned the event, terming it an assault on Kashmir’s cultural and religious values.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric of Kashmir, took to social media to express his indignation, demanding strict action against the organizers. “Outrageous! That in the holy month of Ramzan an obscene fashion show is organized in Gulmarg, sparking shock and anger among people. How could it be tolerated in the valley known for its sanctity?” wrote Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on his social media handle.
Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah termed the event a “cultural invasion disguised as tourism” and called for immediate disciplinary action against both the Tourism Department officials and the organizers, Shivan & Narresh.
The images from Gulmarg are shocking. This is what cultural invasion in the disguise of tourism looks like. They show an utter disregard for Kashmiri sentiments. The Tourism department officials involved should be immediately taken to task, as well as the organisers Shivan & Narresh,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Similarly, Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone criticized the timing of the event, calling it “eminently avoidable.”
The fashion show in Gulmarg was an eminently avoidable event, in the holy month of Ramadan. I consider myself to be a person of liberal orientation, and believe in dignified and mutually respectful coexistence. But this was not the best time to host such an event,” Lone stated.
Tourism Department Under Fire, Demand for Strict Regulations:
The incident has placed the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department under intense scrutiny, with many questioning its role in approving the event. Critics argue that such programs should be vetted more rigorously to ensure they do not offend the sentiments of local communities.
With the Chief Minister’s office seeking a report within 24 hours, all eyes are now on the administration’s next course of action. Will the government hold the organizers accountable, or will this controversy fade into political oblivion? The coming days will be crucial in determining whether cultural sensitivities in Kashmir are upheld or overlooked in the name of tourism and modernity.
