The controversy has arisen after the pictures of a fashion show held in Gulmarg, a tourist place in Baramulla in Kashmir Valley, the controversy has arisen, seeing that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sought a detailed report from the officials within 24 hours. After the controversy, the organizers of this fashion show have also apologized.
The organizers “Shivan and Naresh” posted a post on the social media handle X, saying, “We are deeply sorry for any hurt from our recent presentation in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramadan. Our only objective was to celebrate ski and apprase-Sanki lifestyle without hurting anyone or any religious spirit.
He further said, we respect all the cultures and traditions from the heart and we accept the concerns raised. We unknowingly apologize to honestly for any inconvenience.
Controversy over fashion shows
The matter came to light when separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq questioned the show being organized in the middle of Ramadan. After this, National Conference MP from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah also questioned this, immediately taking cognizance of this, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir issued an inquiry order in this matter.
The Chief Minister’s Office of Jammu and Kashmir issued a statement expressing surprise and concern on this fashion show held at the world famous Ski Resort in North Kashmir. The Chief Minister accepted the resentment of the people and said that he has taken up the matter with the local authorities and sought a detailed report within 24 hours.
CM Omar Abdullah wrote from handle X of social media platform operated in his office,
“Surprise and anger makes sense completely. The pictures I have seen show completely neglect towards local sensitivity and that too during this holy month (Ramadan). My office is in touch with local authorities and I have asked to present a report within the next 24 hours. Further action on the basis of this report will be done as appropriate.
Fashion show held in Gulmarg
The fashion show Ski and Appress Ski was part of the 2025 festival, which was organized on March 7 by the leading designer label “Shivan and Naresh” on the occasion of his 15th anniversary. Famous for its luxury holiday wear and resort collection, the brand displayed a ski-vier of prints with its art in the snow-covered area of Gulmarg.
People against fashion shows
Although during the holy month of Ramadan, the performance of models in the open clothing in this program caused heavy resentment, many people described it as disrespect of religious and cultural sentiments. Liberal separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq wrote on social media platform X to express his anger and disappointment,
“Derogatory! A porn fashion show is organized in Gulmarg in the holy month of Ramadan, whose pictures and videos have gone viral, which has spread anger among the people. How can it be tolerated in the valley known for the Sufi, saint culture and the deep religious outlook of its people? People involved in this should be immediately held accountable. Such obscenity will not be tolerated in Kashmir in the name of promoting tourism ”.
Member of Parliament from Srinagar and senior leader of National Conference Aga Ruhullah wrote on X, Gulmarg’s pictures are shocking, cultural attack in the name of tourism looks similar. They show severe neglect towards Kashmiri feelings. In this, immediate action should be taken against the officials of the tourism department as well as organizers Shivan and Naresh.
“This was not the best time”
Sajjad Lone, chairman of the People’s Conference, wrote on X, “The fashion show in Gulmarg was a very condemnable incident in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan. I consider myself a generous person and believe in respected and mutually respectable co-existence, but this was not the best time to host such an event. A fashion show took place in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is considered to be the crown of Kashmir from a tourism point of view, while Gulmarg is also preferred by a famous skiing destination for international tourists.