1 day ago
Kashmir Administration Calls Retreat Unauthorized Amid Outcry
A group planned a four-day meditation retreat in Gurez, Kashmir.
The event was called “Tantra in Silence — A Journey Within.”
Its poster listed activities such as meditation, sound healing and conscious living.
It asked participants to wear white and maroon robes.
Swami Dhyan Sumit was named as the facilitator.
Mehbooba Mufti and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq asked officials to stop the event.
They referred to a similar retreat in Goa that was cancelled after public criticism.
The Kashmir administration said the event was not authorised because it had not granted permission.
A poster advertised a four-day “Tantra in Silence” retreat in Gurez from September 24 to 27.
The event named Swami Dhyan Sumit as facilitator and Rajneesh Tantra Temple as organiser.
Mehbooba Mufti said a similar Goa retreat was cancelled last year after controversy over promotional material.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to stop what he called exploitation.
The Kashmir administration said no permission had been granted for the proposed event.
- Who
- Swami Dhyan Sumit and the Rajneesh Tantra Temple were associated with the proposed retreat; Mehbooba Mufti and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq opposed it, while the Kashmir administration said it was unauthorised.
- What
- A proposed four-day “Tantra in Silence — A Journey Within” meditation retreat prompted political and religious objections.
- Where
- Gurez Valley in Kashmir; a similar earlier retreat was held in Goa.
- When
- The retreat was advertised for September 24 to 27; its poster appeared on social media on August 6, but the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- Critics cited the previous Goa controversy and concerns that tourism promotion could conflict with Kashmir’s religious, cultural and social values.
Calls To Stop The Retreat
Advertised Retreat And Organizers’ Position
Whether the event should proceed
Calls To Stop The Retreat
Mehbooba Mufti and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for the event to be stopped, citing the Goa controversy and concerns about Kashmir’s religious, cultural and social values.
Advertised Retreat And Organizers’ Position
The poster presented the retreat as a spiritual wellness and meditation program featuring sound healing, meditation and inner transformation; the articles do not provide a response from the organisers to the criticism.
Whether the event was authorised
Calls To Stop The Retreat
The Kashmir administration said the proposed event was unauthorised because no permission had been granted.
Advertised Retreat And Organizers’ Position
The organisers advertised the retreat publicly for September 24 to 27, but the articles do not report their response to the administration’s statement.
Key facts
- Event
- “Tantra in Silence — A Journey Within” meditation retreat
- Dates advertised
- September 24–27
- Location
- Gurez Valley, Kashmir
- Facilitator
- Swami Dhyan Sumit
- Organiser
- Rajneesh Tantra Temple
- Advertised activities
- Sound healing, meditation, love, awareness, conscious living and inner transformation
- Administrative status
- The Kashmir administration said no permission had been granted
- Earlier controversy
- Mehbooba Mufti said a similar Goa retreat was cancelled last year after public outcry over promotional material
Quotes
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Kashmir’s chief cleric
“That this kind of program(me) is being allowed in Gurez in Kashmir, when a similar programme by this organisation was cancelled by police in Goa, due to public outrage over its obscene promotional details, is outrageous! Kashmir is the land of Sufis and saints. Here spirituality is experienced, not marketed at a cost! Besides, tourism promotion cannot become an excuse to undermine our religious, cultural and social ethos and ignore our values and sensibilities. The concerned authorities @CM_JnK ”
telegraphindia.com
“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 obscene promotional material sparked widespread controversy, and Goa Police had to intervene.””
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Kailash Flood Tragedy Puts Sadhguru’s Safety Claims Under Fire
Kejriwal, Mann Visit Bengaluru Ashram for Art of Living Anniversary
Spiritual Leaders Gather in Mumbai for Two-Day Interfaith Event
Sadhguru Stayed in Tibet as Flood Search Offered Little Hope
Hyderabad Pilgrims Safe After Nepal-Tibet Flash Floods
Sadhguru Seeks Access as Tibet Flood Leaves Pilgrims Missing
J&K Assembly Session Opens Amid Alliance Tensions and Opposition
J-K Assembly’s Autumn Session Faces Opposition Challenges On Jobs, Promises
Cross-LoC Trade Facility Ends as Uri Turns Toward Tourism
NC and Congress Split Over Proposed Charges on UPI
