SRINAGAR: A Gulmarg hotel where models from a recent controversial fashion show stayed is owned by his relatives, J&K CM Omar Abdullah acknowledged Thursday amid growing political backlash over the event that took place during Ramzan.
“Yes, my relatives have two hotels in Gulmarg, Nedous Hotel and Highland Park,” Omar told reporters in Gulmarg. However, he declined further comment, saying: “I stand by what I have said in the assembly.”
BJP’s J&K president Sunil Sharma has accused the CM of having ties to the event due to the models and designers staying at his relatives’ hotel — Nedous.
The March 7 fashion show, organised by designer duo Shivan & Narresh to mark their 15th anniversary, sparked outrage after images of scantily clad models walking on snow circulated online. The open-air show drew sharp criticism from religious leaders and political parties, including opposition PDP and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
NC spokesperson Ifra Jan said it is unrealistic to expect authorities to monitor every private event in thousands of hotels across J&K. “Now that the court has taken cognisance, we are hopeful this will serve as a deterrent against obscenity and immoral activities in J&K,” she said.
Chief judicial magistrate of Srinagar, acting on a plea by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) member Adil Nazir Khan, issued a pre-cognisance notice to the directors of the firm that organised the event.
Khan’s advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar said the notice was issued over allegations of “public consumption of alcohol, obscenity, and hurting religious sentiments”. The case is scheduled for a hearing on April 8.
CM Omar had earlier clarified in the assembly that his govt had no involvement in the privately organised show. He acknowledged concerns that such an event should not have taken place, especially during the Ramzan month.
“I completely agree. Such an event should not have been held at any time of the year in a place, given the cultural and social ethos of our region,” he had said.
Police have launched an inquiry, with Omar assuring appropriate action if any law was violated.
Following public outcry, the designers had issued an apology. “…Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski & après-ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend anyone or any religious sentiments,” they said in a statement.
