Archive · 20 Sep 2026
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.
- 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.
- Where
- Gurez Valley in Kashmir; a similar earlier retreat was held in Goa.
- 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.
- 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
