Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that his government does not allow such an event in any month of the year amid a controversy over organizing Gulmarg fashion show in the month of Ramadan.
Many people have described this fashion show as “porn” and there have been demonstrations in the assembly.
The Chief Minister told the assembly, “We have already ordered an inquiry into it, but the initial facts have shown that it was a four -day private program organized by a private party in a private hotel. The fashion show was held on 7 December and some things have come out, which has hurt people’s sentiments, which are not wrong.”
Giving a statement after the Question Hour in the House, the Chief Minister said that the “disappointment and anxiety” of the members is real. The Question Hour was interrupted on the issue of killing the fashion show for about half an hour and the murder of three civilians in Bilawar area of Kathua district.
Kashmir chief Sajjad Lone Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on Sunday that vulgarity would not be tolerated in the name of promoting tourism.
He said, “Disgusting! A porn fashion show was held in Gulmarg in the holy month of Ramadan, whose portraits and videos went viral, causing shock and anger among the people.”
In a post from his X handle, Mirwaiz said, “How can it be tolerated in the valley known for Sufi, saint culture and intensive religious perspectives of the people?”
Reacting to this post, the Chief Minister had said, “Surprise and anger can be fully understood. The pictures I have seen are fully neglected towards local sensitivity and that too during this holy month.”
Abdullah wrote in his post on X, “My office is in touch with the local authorities and I have asked to submit the report within the next 24 hours. Further action will be taken properly on the basis of this report.”
In the assembly, the Chief Minister said that those organizing the fashion show did not put their minds, ignored public sentiments and did not pay attention to where they are organizing it and what is its time.
Abdullah said, “Some people are saying that there should not have been such a show in the month of Ramadan. After what I have seen, I believe it should not have been at any time of the year.”
The Chief Minister said that he wants to clarify that the government has no role in organizing this event.
He said, “It was a private party, which was organized in a private hotel and invitations were also distributed privately. No permission was taken from the government, no money was taken from the government, no government infrastructure was used and no government official was present in the program.”
Abdullah said, “Despite all this, the administration was told that if the investigation comes out of violation of law, the case should be handed over to the police which will investigate it.”
He said that if permission had been taken from the government, it would not have allowed such an event. “If the law is violated, strict action will be taken,” he said.
