Ramadan Fashion Show in Gulmarg Triggers Cultural Controversy

A fashion show held in Gulmarg right during Ramadan has become a lightning rod for controversy on social media in Kashmir, Jammu, and Kashmir. Participants took to the ramp, showcasing their half-clad bodies against the beautiful snowy valley backdrop.

The event has been criticized for disrespecting the sanctity of a holy month when one prays and fasts. Online videos and pictures posted about the event have gone viral, feeding racist discussions about forgetting the respect for the base culture and understanding how they can be done during coinciding holy periods.

As a whole, members of the Muslim community on social media lambasted the organizers for allegedly riveting the reverence of Ramadan. A few see it as an "insult to religious values," while others insist it is a means to diffuse "Westernization," all at the expense of local traditions.

Religious scholars and community leaders also weighed in, questioning the need for hosting such an event during Ramadan. They emphasized that although fashion and tourism remain inseparable from the regional economy, care for religious issues must come first. In contrast, a few supported the show, pointing at the contribution of fashion and cultural activities to the tourism sector that is a backbone of Kashmir's economy.

The right to choose to participate in, or stay away from, events is well within individuals' beliefs. There has been no official word from the authorities about the situation, but the incident points to the escalating war between modernity and culture preservation regarding the region. 

Social media has given voice to both sides, while the incident underlines the very thin line that needs to be walked between development and sanctity for religious and cultural sentiments.