Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – A proposed four-day meditation retreat, titled “Tantra in Silence – A Journey Within,” slated to be held in the Gurez Valley from September 24 to 27, has ignited a political and religious controversy across the region, drawing sharp criticism from prominent political figures and religious leaders.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the event, promoted with details of accommodation, food, and meditation sessions at a cost of ₹11,995 per participant, has been flagged by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Dr. Umar Farooq, who have urged authorities to intervene and scrutinize the program.
Mehbooba Mufti publicly appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to examine the nature of the proposed programme. She also extended her appeal to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, a prominent religious figure, to raise awareness and address concerns surrounding the retreat.
“Gurez is no playground for experiments in the name of spirituality or tourism. I request the administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to intervene immediately and take appropriate action,” Mufti stated on social media, emphasizing the need for caution and oversight in the scenic valley.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq echoed these sentiments, backing the concerns raised by Mufti and calling for prompt action from the concerned authorities. He referenced a similar program previously organized in Goa, which he noted was reportedly cancelled by the police due to public outrage over its promotional content, suggesting potential parallels and raising questions about the Gurez event’s approval.
“The concern raised by Mehbooba Mufti deserves immediate attention!” Mirwaiz asserted. He further questioned the allowance of such a program in Kashmir, a region he described as the land of Sufis and saints where spirituality is traditionally experienced rather than marketed. He highlighted that Kashmir’s religious heritage and ethos should not be undermined for tourism promotion, nor should it be an excuse to disregard local values and sensibilities.
The Mirwaiz urged the administration to take note of what he termed as potential exploitation. “The concerned authorities should immediately take note and stop this exploitation!” he added, calling for decisive action to prevent any perceived transgression of the region’s cultural and religious fabric. The proposed retreat’s facilitator has been identified as Swami Dhyan Sumit.
The Chenab Times News Desk