SRINAGAR I March 14, 2025– Srinagar court has issued summons to fashion designers Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, along with other organisers of a controversial fashion show held in Gulmarg, following allegations of obscenity and disrespect to religious sentiments during the holy month of Ramadan. The legal action, initiated just days ago, marks a significant escalation in a public outcry that has gripped Jammu and Kashmir since the event took place on March 7.
The summons were issued by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Srinagar in response to a complaint filed by Adil Nazir Khan of the Awami Ittehad Party, represented by advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar. Khan’s plea accuses the designers, directors of the organizing firm, and the editor-in-chief of Elle India magazine of promoting “obscenity, public drinking of alcohol, and activities that offended religious sentiments.” The court has directed the respondents to appear or submit a response by April 8.
The fashion show, organised by luxury brand Shivan & Narresh to mark their 15th anniversary, featured models in revealing skiwear strutting across the snowy slopes of Gulmarg. Images and videos of the event quickly went viral, sparking outrage among locals, religious leaders, and politicians. Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, called it “outrageous,” while National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi labeled it a “cultural invasion.” The timing during Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer for Muslims, intensified the backlash.
Facing mounting criticism, Shivan & Narresh issued an apology earlier this week: “We deeply regret any hurt caused by our recent presentation in Gulmarg during the holy month of Ramadan. Our sole intention was to celebrate creativity and the ski lifestyle, without any desire to offend.” Despite this, the controversy has spilled into the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, with opposition BJP leaders accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of negligence, noting that models stayed at a hotel owned by his relatives.
Omar Abdullah, addressing the uproar, clarified that the event was privately organised and not sanctioned by the government. “We would have never allowed this,” he said on March 11, promising strict action if laws were violated. A police inquiry is underway, and the court’s involvement now adds a legal dimension to the saga.
The case has reignited debates over cultural sensitivity and the limits of artistic expression in the region. “This isn’t just about fashion—it’s about respecting our ethos,” said protester Faisal Ahmed in Srinagar. As the April 8 hearing looms, all eyes are on how this clash between modernity and tradition will unfold.