Political and religious leaders protest ‘Tantra in silence’ event in Kashmir; officials clarify that no permission has been granted
A panoramic view of the Gurez valley, about 150 km from Srinagar. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
The event, to be organized by the Shree Rajneesh Temple (SRT) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gurez Valley, drew sharp criticism on Saturday (September 19, 2026) from political and religious leaders who demanded its cancellation after authorities clarified that no official permission had been granted for the retreat.
The poster showed that Swami Dhyan Sumit, a monk who heads the Shree Rajneesh Foundation, would be participating in an event called “Tantra in Silence” from September 24 to 27 in north Kashmir’s Gurez Valley. Gurez Valley is located in the northern part of Kashmir in Bandipora district.
Facing mounting criticism, the Bandipora district administration on Saturday evening said the retreat was “unwarranted”. “Bandipora district administration has not granted any permission for the said event. Public/tourists are advised not to rely on or share such unauthorized promotional claims,” Bandipora administration said.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Grand Mufti Nasser-ul-Islam were prominent voices that spoke against the event being held in the valley.
Earlier in the day, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the J&K Police to “step in and take appropriate action”. “A similar ‘tantric’ retreat facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, a self-proclaimed divine man promoting a new religion under the Shree Rajneesh Foundation, was canceled in Goa last year after his obscene promotional material sparked widespread controversy and the Goa police had to intervene,” Ms Mufti said.
She said that Gurez is not a playground for experiments in the name of spirituality or tourism.
Serious concerns: Mirwaiz
In a similar vein, the Mirwaiz expressed “serious concern” over the proposed event. “Kashmir is a land of Sufis and saints. Spirituality is experienced here, not sold for a price! Moreover, promotion of tourism cannot be used as an excuse to undermine our religious, cultural and social ethos and ignore our values and sensitivities. Concerned authorities, Mr. Abdullah, should immediately take note and stop this exploitation,” said Mirwaiz.
Grand Mufti Islam called Gurez “part of the sacred cultural landscape of Kashmir, a land shaped by generations of faith, scholarship and spiritual tradition”. “Gurez’s hospitality must never be understood as indifference to its moral cultural character. Kashmir welcomes guests but does not give up its values. Tourism must serve the dignity of the country and its people and must not become a pretext for implementing practices that are incompatible with their deep-rooted beliefs,” Islam said.
He urged the chief minister, the police and the administration to “take immediate action”. “The authorities should find out the facts: verify the organizers, examine the complete program and its promotional material, find out the permissions granted and ensure that no activity is allowed that is against the law or the legitimate religious and cultural sentiments of the people,” Mr Islam said.
Published – 19 Sep 2026 17:18 IST