A fashion show in Gulmarg, Kashmir, during Ramadan has sparked outrage. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered an inquiry, with a report due in 24 hours. The event, organised by a non-local designer duo, featured models in the snow-clad backdrop. Critics argue it violates local morality and religious sentiments. The tourism department's role in approving the event is under scrutiny.
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00:00A fashion show was organized in the Kashmir valley in the backdrop of snow in Gulmarg
00:04but has led to full on outrage, backlash, anger on social media specifically asking
00:11for not only inquiry about who organized it, who allowed it in the month of Ramzan but
00:17also asking for the organizers to be jailed.
00:21Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has gone to the extent now of ordering an inquiry.
00:25Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered an inquiry into this case.
00:28This was an outdoor fashion show in the backdrop of the snow-clad mountains of Gulmarg, an
00:34international tourist destination.
00:36A non-local top fashion designer duo organized this.
00:40They were the ones whose fashion show this was.
00:42And as the images slowly steadily went viral, there are many who are criticizing this, saying
00:48this is against Kashmir's morality.
00:51It's hurt religious feelings because this is in the holy month of Ramzan.
00:54How was this allowed?
00:55Who allowed it?
00:56There should be literally inquiry against them, even jail term under pressure and public
01:02scrutiny.
01:03Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordering an inquiry.
01:05Report has been sought in 24 hours.
01:07Remember fashion shows are organized across the country but one of the reasons that this
01:12one has got so much attention, one, because it's in the month of Ramzan and then many
01:19are asking that these were semi-nude models.
01:21How can semi-nude models be allowed in the Kashmir valley?
01:25And out in the open in such a manner?
01:27So it's become a huge debate.
01:29Many are asking for action against organizers and more and those who allowed it in the administration.
01:35Let's first listen in.
01:37What is the outrage about?
01:55All right, I want to bring in my colleague Mir Fareed from Srinagar on this.
02:11Fareed, good morning.
02:12Tell me some of the reasons of the outrage, what has led to this anger because it was
02:18a few days earlier that this fashion show was organized and I see now that full on debate
02:23has erupted on this.
02:53You see, Kashmir has never seen such events and there is a lot of resentment to this because
02:59people think that this is against the teachings of Islam and it's a conservative society.
03:04So obviously this caught everyone by surprise and shock and then the politics started on
03:09this while it went viral on social media, there was outrage, people, everyone speaking
03:14about it and then also questioning that how the chief minister did not know about it,
03:19the chief minister of the UT and since he is also unknown, in fact he also has no knowledge
03:25and once he sees it on social media, he orders an inquiry.
03:28So that is what I expect that who exactly is really taking care of the state of Jammu
03:33and Kashmir, how is dual power structurally affecting the government.
03:37So this is at the other angle, but obviously a lot of outrage.
03:41You add Neerwai, who is also a religious cleric, really talking about the fact that he is restoring
03:47holy month of...
03:48This is one issue Farid, I see all these leaders, whether religious, political, they have been
03:51on the same page, perhaps sensing that there could be, especially the majority community's
03:55anger over this.
03:56Tell me about the report that has been, the inquiry that has been ordered, when are we
04:00expecting the report, do you think there could be leading to action against some of the officials
04:06on this?
04:08Well, Pooja, the tourism department is under fire because it is the tourism department
04:13who have approved this, who have facilitated this.
04:16So obviously the anger of the people and in fact Omar Abdullah has also sought a report.
04:21He, in fact on Twitter has said that in 24 hours he is expecting the report with him
04:26and then post that he will decide what kind of action could be initiated.
04:29But the question is that who really is taking care or who is heading the tourism department
04:35because if this has not gone through Omar Abdullah's office then obviously it has to
04:39go through the Rajdaman because the tourism department won't do it on its own.
04:43It would have sought approvals because everyone knows this could be, really, this could evoke
04:49sharp criticism, this could lead to a controversy.
04:52Kashmir, we know, there is very little tolerance for such fashion shows and that too when you
04:58have nude models really going around.
05:01So obviously there are quite a many questions and Omar Abdullah then sensing that this is
05:07a massive issue and this could really lead to a backlash, political one as well, ordering
05:12an inquiry.
05:13Now we'll have to wait and see.
05:14He has said that it will come in 24 hours and we'll have to wait and see what kind of
05:18report is brought in.
05:19Remember that this duo is one of the most popular designer duo, otherwise they excel
05:23in swimwear.
05:24They organized this, clearly, I mean they had the permission, that's the reason.
05:28Looking like an international level fashion show.
05:31Likely that was the attempt to perhaps showcase it as one but it seems to have proven to be
05:37complete trouble right now.
05:38Many people, especially conservatives, not too happy because it came in the month of
05:43Ramzan and otherwise also.
05:45Let's listen in now to Tanvir Sadiq.
05:47He's a National Conference MLA.
05:48He's a close aide of Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister.
05:51Here's what he's saying.
05:54Should not have happened.
05:56Jammu and Kashmir is a place of Sufi saints.
05:59Which we call the state of Rishis and Munis.
06:03Such incidents, even in normal circumstances, should not happen in Jammu and Kashmir.
06:09This is not acceptable.
06:11Omar has taken cognizance of this.
06:14Let's see.
06:15He has asked for a report.
06:17If the report comes, as Omar has said, action will be taken.