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Kashmir Leaders Call for Ban on Tantra Retreat
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In Short: Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a ban on a four-day 'Tantra in Silence' retreat scheduled in Gurez Valley.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a ban on a four-day 'Tantra in Silence' retreat scheduled in Gurez Valley, Kashmir, from September 24 to 27, 2026. Mufti urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to intervene, citing concerns about the event's suitability for the region.
Mufti highlighted that a similar 'Tantra' retreat facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, a self-styled godman promoting a new religion under the Shree Rajneesh Foundation, was cancelled in Goa last year after its promotional material sparked controversy. The Goa Police had to intervene at that time.
Mirwaiz Farooq echoed Mufti's call, urging Chief Minister Abdullah to 'take note and stop this exploitation.' The House of Grand Mufti Jammu & Kashmir also took serious note of the proposed retreat, raising concerns about its organizers, content, and suitability for the region.
Mirwaiz Farooq emphasized that Kashmir welcomes guests but does not surrender its values. He stated, 'Tourism must serve the dignity of the land and its people, not become a pretext for introducing practices that are incompatible with their deeply held convictions.
The Gurez Valley, part of the sacred cultural landscape of Kashmir, is shaped by generations of faith, scholarship, and spiritual tradition. The retreat's organizers have not provided further details about the event's content or purpose.
Bashaarat, a journalist covering Jammu and Kashmir for two decades, noted the need for transparency regarding the event.
What this adds
The retreat's organizers have not provided further details about the event's content or purpose, leaving many questions unanswered.
The event's potential impact on Kashmir's cultural and religious landscape remains a significant concern for local leaders.
Background
A four-day 'Tantra in Silence' retreat scheduled for September 24-27 in Kashmir's Gurez Valley has sparked a political and religious row.
What's still developing
- Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir.