Not only Ramzan, govt would not have permitted it in any month: J&K CM on Gulmarg fashion show
_vb_91.jpeg)
Jammu (PTI): Amid controversy over the Gulmarg fashion show held during the month of Ramzan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said his government would have never given permission for such an event in any month of the year.
The fashion show has been billed as "obscene" by many and triggered protests in the assembly.
“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 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 on Sunday said obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated.
"Outrageous! That 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 had 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 on X.
In the assembly, the chief minister said those who organised the fashion show have not applied their mind, showed disregard to the public sentiment and paid no attention to where they are 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,” Abdullah said.
He said if permission would have 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.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
