Uproar in J&K Assembly over Gulmarg fashion show

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday witnessed chaos in connection to the controversy over a recently-held outdoor fashion show held in the ski resort Gulmarg while holy month of Ramzan is underway. Several politicians, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, slammed the "obscene" event and said it hurt religious sentiments.As the House assembled for the day, members of the ruling National Conference (NC), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and two Independents stood up and raised the issue and also demanded a probe into how such an event could take place while people kept day-long Ramzan fasts. In his address, the Chief Minister said that his government has already ordered a probe into the matter. "The private event which took place in Gulmarg hurt the sentiments of people. Such events shouldn't happen at any time of the year. I want to set the record straight, the government has nothing to do with the fashion show. They (organisers) didn't seek any permission from us. It was a private show organised at a hotel," he explained."If rules have been violated, the matter should be handed over to the police. But I want to make it clear that my government has no involvement," he said.
The BJP, however, slammed the NC, PDP, as well as clerics for creating a controversy over the fashion show, saying that the "outrage is unwarranted". "Flames of conservatism are being stoked in the Kashmir Valley. We need to develop an acceptance of all kinds of views and thoughts," said MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania.Shortly after the legislator's remarks, noisy scenes and verbal duels erupted between members of the NC-Congress, PDP, and BJP for over 25 minutes. Designer label, Shivan & Narresh organised the fashion show on March 7 to mark the brand's 15th anniversary. The label featured its skiwear range at the event.

Shivan and Narresh have apologised for hosting the event. "We deeply regret any hurt caused by our recent presentation in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramadan. Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski and aprs-ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend anyone or any religious sentiments," the designers wrote on X on Sunday. The designers said they acknowledged the concerns raised by political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir and said that "respect for all cultures and traditions is at our heart".