Gurez Valley spiritual retreat sparks political and religious outcry

A proposed four-day spiritual retreat titled ‘Tantra in Silence – A Journey Within’ in Kashmir’s Gurez Valley has sparked significant political and religious controversy. The event, advertised for September 24 to 27, is promoted by the Rajneesh Tantra Temple and associated with the teachings of Osho. The program, facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, includes meditation, sound healing, and conscious living, with participants requested to wear white and maroon robes.

Political leaders and religious figures, including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have called for government intervention. Mufti expressed concerns regarding the nature of the program and its compatibility with local culture, noting that a similar retreat facilitated by the same individual was reportedly cancelled in Goa last year following police intervention.

In response to the outcry, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department and the Bandipora district administration have clarified that they have not granted permission or authorization for the event to take place.