Grand Mufti, Mirwaiz, Mehbooba express concern over Rajneesh Tantra temple event scheduled in Gurez of Kashmir

Srinagar: A Rajneesh Tantra Temple event scheduled at Gurez along the Line of Control in Bandipora district of northern Kashmir drew sharp criticism from religious and political leaders including the Grand Mufti of Kashmir, who urgently called for the cancellation of the event.

The event titled ‘Tantra in Silence–a journey within and a meditation retreat’ as per the poster circulated on social media is scheduled from September 24 to September 27 at Gurez Valley and some part of the program may be held in Srinagar. As per the poster the event is facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit and inspired by the teaching of Rajneesh. The registration for the event is necessary with the payment of Rs 11995 per person.

“Gurez is a precious part of Kashmir’s heritage, not a laboratory for spiritual or commercial experiments. Development and tourism must respect the region’s cultural character, local sensibilities and longstanding spiritual traditions…The proposed “Tantra in Silence” retreat in Gurez therefore warrants immediate scrutiny by the competent authorities—particularly regarding its organisers, programme content, permissions and public presentation,” said Mufti Nasir ul Islam Farooqi. He said that Kashmir is a land shaped by the profound legacy of Sufis, Reshis and saints, where tourism is a welcome, but it cannot become a licence to introduce programmes whose character or promotional language may conflict with the Valley’s cultural and social ethos.


Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti informed that 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 promotional material sparked widespread controversy, and Goa Police had to intervene.

“Gurez is no playground for experiments in the name of spirituality or tourism. I request the chief minister of J&K and J&K police to intervene immediately and take appropriate action,” said Mufti.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads the Muttahida Majlis e Ulema, an amalgam of around 50 religious organizations across J&K and Ladakh said that the concern raised by Mufti deserves immediate attention. “That this kind of program is being allowed in Gurez in Kashmir, when a similar programme by this organisation was cancelled by police in Goa, due to public outrage over its obscene promotional details, is outrageous! Kashmir is the land of sufis and saints. Here spirituality is experienced, not marketed at a cost!” said Mirwaiz adding, “Besides, tourism promotion cannot become an excuse to undermine our religious, cultural and social ethos and ignoring our values and sensibilities. The concerned authorities–J&K CM–should immediately take note and stop this exploitation.”