Srinagar: A proposed event organised by Shree Rajneesh Temple (SRT) in Gurez valley in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district has drawn sharp criticism. Political and religious leaders say programmes held in the region must respect its social, cultural and religious character.The event is scheduled from September 24 to 27 in the frontier location that witnessed a huge tourist footfall after the army and government launched several campaigns to attract tourists.Known for its Sufi traditions, close-knit communities and a way of life shaped over generations by faith and local customs, the proposed “Tantra in Silence” retreat has stirred a debate that goes beyond tourism.Once a no-go area, the promotion of Gurez accelerated drastically through joint collaboration between the J&K tourism department and army’s Jashn-e- Gurez festival and digital campaigns like #GoGurez in 2021. The place witnessed major shift towards structured commercial tourism in 2020 although it’s thrown open to domestic travellers in 2007. In 2025, Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi announced that the place was open for foreign tourists as well.The controversy about the proposed event erupted after a promotional poster for the retreat appeared on social media on August 6 and went viral and grabbed the attention of locals. The poster announced, Swami Dhyan Sumit, a monk who heads Shree Rajneesh Foundation, will participate in the event and invited people to visit the picturesque valley.A poster of ‘Tantra in Silence’ event. Photo: X.Rajneesh Tantra Temple describes itself as a spiritual wellness centre and retreat community inspired by the neo-tantric and meditative teachings of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, popularly known as Osho.The proposed retreat soon became a talking point in Gurez, where residents and local representatives questioned whether such an event was compatible with the valley’s traditional social and religious environment.For critics, the main issue is the kind of activities that are being introduced in a place with a distinct cultural identity. They argue that tourism can bring employment and opportunities to the region, but should not come at the cost of the values and traditions that local communities have preserved over generations.“We understand that the tourism has helped us to earn but that doesn’t mean that any event that goes against the sentiments of the people should be conducted in Gurez. We won’t allow such events to happen, don’t treat this place as an experiment laboratory,” a local who has turned to hotel business told The Wire.Amid the growing criticism, the Bandipora district administration clarified that no permission had been granted for the proposed retreat.In a statement issued on Saturday (September 19) night, the administration described the event as “unauthorised” and advised the public and tourists not to rely on or circulate promotional claims about a programme that had not received official approval.The clarification came as questions grew over whether the event had been cleared by authorities responsible for tourism and local administration.The assistant director tourism, Gulmarg, separately clarified that his office had neither granted permission nor issued any authorisation for the proposed event.The office said it had no official information or communication regarding the programme and that no application seeking permission had been received or processed. It further stated that the office had no association with the organisation or conduct of the programme.The proposed retreat also drew opposition from political leaders and religious figures, who called for the authorities to examine the matter and prevent any unauthorised activity.Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti urged chief minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to intervene and take appropriate action.Mufti referred to a similar “tantra” retreat associated with Swami Dhyan Sumit in Goa in 2025, saying it was cancelled after promotional material generated controversy and police intervention followed.“Tantra retreat facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, a self-styled godman promoting a new religion under Shree Rajneesh Foundation, was cancelled in Goa last year after its obscene promotional material sparked widespread controversy, and Goa Police had to intervene,” said Mufti.A poster is advertising a “Tantra Silence” retreat in Gurez Valley, Srinagar.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… pic.twitter.com/1cdGZlF5oo— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 19, 2026Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed serious concern over the proposed event, saying Kashmir’s spiritual traditions are deeply rooted in the legacy of Sufis and saints.“Kashmir is the land of sufis and saints. Here spirituality is experienced, not marketed at a cost,” Mirwaiz said, while arguing that tourism promotion should not become a reason to disregard local religious, cultural and social sensitivities.Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam also opposed the proposed programme and described Gurez as part of Kashmir’s “sacred cultural landscape”.He said the hospitality of Gurez should not be interpreted as indifference towards the valley’s moral and cultural character.“Kashmir welcomes guests but it does not surrender its values,” he said, while calling on the government, police and administration to verify the organisers, examine the programme and its promotional material, and establish what permissions had been sought or granted.Gurez Valley. Photo: Arranged by the author.National Conference MLA Gurezi has also opposed the proposed retreat, saying the organisers had not approached the authorities for permission.Speaking to The Wire, Gurezi said Gurez has a distinct social, cultural and religious character that needs to be considered when tourism-related activities are planned in the region.“Gurez is more vulnerable than Goa,” he said, adding that local residents would not accept programmes that, in their view, could affect the valley’s social and cultural sensitivities.“Gurez is a border constituency that has remained firmly pro-India. There is no one from Gurez who has joined militant ranks. Organising such events against the wishes or sensitivities of the local people can create alienation and hurt their sentiments,” Gurezi saaid.Gurezi said the region has a rich Sufi heritage and a cultural identity that distinguishes it from other tourist destinations.He argued that tourism should strengthen the local economy while remaining compatible with the traditions and values of the people who live there.The MLA said he had raised the matter with Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib and was informed that no permission had been sought or granted for the proposed programme.“Such events cannot be organised without official clearance. I spoke to the Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, and she informed me that the district administration has not given any permission for this event,” he said.Gurez has emerged as an increasingly popular tourist destination because of its mountains, meadows, villages and traditional way of life.DC Bandipora confirmed to The Wire that the organiser has not sought any permission to conduct this event. Gurez ‘Tantra Silence’ Retreat Unauthorised;No permission has been granted to the said event by District Administration Bandipora. Public/tourists are advised not to rely on or share such unauthorised promotional claims@OfficeOfLGJandK @CM_JnK @indukanwal @ddnewsSrinagar— Information & PR, Bandipora (@dicbandipora) September 19, 2026The dispute over the proposed retreat has become become a conversation about what kind of tourism Gurez wants, and how far tourism promotion should go when it intersects with the religious and cultural values of a local community.In recent years, for many local families, tourism has become an important source of income and an opportunity for greater economic activity.At the same time, residents have repeatedly emphasised the need for tourism to remain sensitive to the valley’s social fabric. “Gurez should continue to grow, but in a manner that respects the valley’s social, cultural and religious traditions and the sentiments of its residents,” Gurezi added.