A fashion show held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, during the sacred month of Ramzan has ignited controversy. Featuring “semi-nude” models in skimpy outfits, the event at the ski resort faced sharp criticism for disrespecting local culture.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the public’s shock and anger “totally understandable,” ordering a report within 24 hours and promising swift action.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Srinagar’s Jama Masjid chief priest and Hurriyat Conference leader, branded the show “outrageous.” “Obscenity for tourism won’t be tolerated,” he said, highlighting its clash with Kashmir’s Sufi traditions during Ramzan.
A nude fashion show in #Gulmarg during Ramazan? This is a shameless mockery of our faith, culture and Kashmiriyat. Ramazan is a month of devotion, repentance, divinity, praying, submission before God NOT decadence. How did the @CM_JnK allow this under his watch when tourism falls… pic.twitter.com/ulQaNq7a3n
— Deepika Pushkar Nath (@DeepikaPNath) March 10, 2025Abdullah echoed this, noting the images show “complete disregard for local sensitivities.” Photos and videos of the event went viral, amplifying the outrage across political and religious circles.
#WATCH | Jammu: On Gulmarg fashion show, J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, "A private party was organised, a fashion show was organized there … from what I saw, it should not have been organised at any time of the year, let alone the month of Ramzan. It was a private party and there… pic.twitter.com/pl5aZPH8pn
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2025Social activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat condemned the show as an assault on Kashmir’s values. “Who allowed this nude fashion show in holy Ramzan?” he asked online. “Semi-nude models on snow—why demolish our moral and ethical standards?” He pressed the Tourism Department and Gulmarg Development Authority for answers. Abdullah confirmed his office is coordinating with local officials to investigate.
The incident pits modern promotion against traditional norms, leaving Kashmiris reeling. With Abdullah committed to addressing the breach, the focus now shifts to accountability. As the controversy unfolds, the region demands respect for its cultural identity during this holy time.
