States » NorthPosted at: Sep 19 2026 9:53PM


‘Tantra in Silence’ retreat near LoC sparks controversy; authorities say no permission granted

Srinagar, Sep 19 (UNI) A controversy erupted on Saturday over a proposed “Tantra in Silence” retreat proposed to be held close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez Valley of Bandipora district, with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Kashmir’s chief cleric urging the authorities to halt the event.
The District Administration Bandipora Saturday evening clarified that no permission has been granted for the proposed retreat, advising the public and tourists not to rely on or share unauthorised promotional claims regarding the event.
In a post on X, the Information and Public Relations office said the event was “unauthorised” and that no permission had been granted by the district administration.
A poster circulating on social media advertises a four-day “Tantra in Silence – A Journey Within” meditation retreat in Gurez Valley from September 24 to 27.
The poster listed Swami Dhyan Sumit as the facilitator. The poster lists activities including sound healing, meditation, love and awareness, conscious living and inner transformation, and states that wearing white and maroon robes is compulsory.
In a post on X, Mehbooba referred to promotional material for the retreat and alleged that a similar “Tantra” programme facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, whom she described as a self-styled godman associated with the Shree Rajneesh Foundation, had been cancelled in Goa last year following controversy over its promotional material.
“Gurez is no playground for experiments in the name of spirituality or tourism,” Mehbooba said, while urging Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to intervene and take appropriate action.
She also appealed to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the Grand Mufti to raise awareness about the issue.
Responding to Mehbooba’s post, Mirwaiz said the concerns raised over the proposed programme “deserve immediate attention”.
He alleged that allowing such a programme in Gurez was particularly concerning in view of the controversy surrounding a similar event in Goa.
“Kashmir is the land of sufis and saints. Here spirituality is experienced, not marketed at a cost!” Mirwaiz said.
He further said that promotion of tourism should not, in his view, come at the expense of the region's “religious, cultural and social ethos”, and urged the authorities, including Chief Minister, to take note of the matter.
Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam also took serious note of the proposed event and called for immediate verification of the organisers, programme and permissions.

He said Gurez was not merely a tourist destination but part of Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual landscape, and urged the administration to ensure that no activity contrary to law or legitimate religious and cultural sensitivities was permitted.

“Kashmir welcomes guests; it does not surrender its values,” the Grand Mufti said, adding that tourism should uphold the dignity of the land and its people.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director Tourism Gulmarg this evening said his office has neither granted any permission nor issued any authorization for conducting the said event.
"This office has no information or official communication regarding the proposed event referred to in the said social media post. No application seeking permission for the event has been received or processed by this office,” reads the clarification.
It further clarified that the said proposed event has not been authorized/approved by the Office of the Assistant Director Tourism, Gulmarg, and this office has no association with the organization or conduct of the event mentioned in the social media post.
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Tags: #‘Tantra in Silence’ retreat near LoC sparks controversy; authorities say no permission granted
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