Omar Abdullah’s Moral Policing Falls Flat After Family’s Links to Gulmarg Fashion Show Emerge | Inside Details

New Delhi: Omar Abdullah’s reaction to the Gulmarg fashion show reeks of hypocrisy and selective outrage. While he said his government would have never given permission for such an event in any month of the year, his own family members, including his sons, were reportedly present at the venue. If sources are to be believed, the event was hosted at Hotel Nedous, owned by his maternal cousin, raising questions about whether his objections are truly about cultural sensitivities or merely political posturing. 

“We have already ordered an inquiry into it but preliminary facts revealed that it was a private four-day event organised by a private party in a private hotel. The fashion show was held on December 7 and certain things have come to the fore, which hurt the sentiments of the people who are not wrong,” the chief minister informed the assembly.  Making a statement in the House after the Question Hour which was disrupted for the first nearly half an hour over the issue of the fashion show and three civilian killings in the Billawar area of Kathua district, the chief minister said the “disappointment and concern” of the members are genuine.

Kashmir's chief priest, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated. "Outrageous! In the holy month of Ramzan, an obscene fashion show is organised in #Gulmarg, pictures and videos from which have gone viral sparking shock and anger among people. “How could it be tolerated in the valley known for its Sufi, saint culture and the deeply religious outlook of its people?" the Mirwaiz said in a post from his X handle.

Reacting to the post, the chief minister said “The shock & anger are totally understandable. The images I have seen show a complete disregard for local sensitivities & that too during this holy month.  “My office has been in touch with the local authorities & I’ve asked for a report to be submitted within the next 24 hours. Further action, as appropriate, will follow from this report,” Abdullah wrote in his post.   

In the assembly, the chief minister said those who organised the fashion show had not applied their mind, showed disregard to the public sentiment and paid no attention to where they were organising it 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,” Abdullah said.

The chief minister said he wants to make it clear that there is no role of the government in organising the event. "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.

“Despite all this, the administration was asked that if the inquiry points to the violation of law, hand over the case to police who will do its investigation,” Omar said. He said if permission had been sought from the government, it would not have given the permission for such an event. “If law has been violated, strict action will be taken.” 

CM Omar's reaction to the Gulmarg fashion show also exposes the double standards of J&K’s political elite, who selectively target events based on convenience. Notably, fashion and tourism are integral to Kashmir’s economy, yet leaders like Omar seem determined to control what kind of cultural expression is permissible, as if only they can define Kashmir's identity. The same politicians who claim to champion democracy and freedom of speech are the first to suppress it when it doesn’t align with their personal or political agenda.

By denouncing the event, Omar isn’t protecting Kashmir’s heritage—he’s stifling its modernisation, its potential for artistic growth, and its ability to embrace global influences while maintaining its unique identity. If he truly cares about Kashmir’s future, he should be encouraging economic and cultural progress instead of resorting to outdated moral policing.