Govt had no role in Gulmarg fashion show, says Omar

Jammu/New Delhi: Outrage over a fashion show in Gulmarg found wide echo in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Monday with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying his government had no role in the event organised at a private hotel and would not have given its permission even if it was not Ramzan.

At the centre of the controversy over the show, which Kashmir’s chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq dubbed obscene, were designer duo Shivan & Narresh. As the issue over the March 7 fashion walk through the snow meadows in Gulmarg escalated, they expressed deep regret. The Delhi-based designers, whose full names are Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, had showcased their skiwear collection to mark the 15th anniversary of their label.

“Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski & apres-ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend anyone or any religious sentiments.

“Respect for all cultures and traditions is at our heart, and we acknowledge the concerns raised. We sincerely apologise for any unintended discomfort and appreciate the feedback from our community. We remain committed to being more mindful and respectful,” the designers said in a statement on Sunday night.

The apology did little to assuage the anger. A day after Abdullah asked for a report on the matter, he said in the assembly that those who organised the fashion show had not applied their mind, shown disregard to public sentiment and paid no attention to where it was happening 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,” he said.

Making a statement in the House after the Question Hour which was disrupted for the first nearly half-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 are genuine.

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

“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,” the chief minister said.

People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said the event “descended into an indecent spectacle” and that too during Ramzan.

“Deeply troubling to witness vulgar images from the recent fashion show in Gulmarg… It is deplorable that private hoteliers are allowed to promote such vulgarity through these events, which blatantly contradict our cultural values,” she said in a post on X.

The issue had its inevitable political fallout.

Hitting out at the government, the former chief minister said it cannot simply absolve itself of responsibility by labelling the show a private affair.