Gulmarg fashion show sparks row in Indian-administered Kashmir

A fashion show in a snowy town has sparked a controversy in Indian-administered Kashmir.

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The show, by the well-known fashion brand Shivan & Narresh, was held last Friday at a ski resort in Gulmarg to display their skiwear collection. The label is the first big, non-local brand to hold a fashion show in Kashmir, a scenic Himalayan region which has seen decades of violence.

But it soon sparked outrage among locals, politicians and religious leaders in Muslim-majority Kashmir after fashion publisher Elle India posted a video on social media which showed some models wearing underwear or bikinis. Locals were also angry over another video - shared by online magazine Lifestyle Asia - of a party held after the show, which showed people drinking alcohol outdoors.

Many took offence with the show being held in the holy month of Ramadan - a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims - and accused the designers of "mocking their faith" and "disregarding local culture and sentiments". Some clerics called the show "obscene" and said it was like "soft porn".

Some others explained that the outrage had arisen not only from religious conservatism, but also from a fear of cultural imposition from "outsiders". Kashmir has witnessed decades of armed separatist insurgency against Indian rule since the late 1980s.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynd24rnngo

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