Full Breakdown
Controversy Over Planned “Tantra in Silence” Retreat in Gurez Valley
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A four-day meditation retreat titled “Tantra in Silence” is slated for September 24-27, 2026 in the Gurez valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipore district, near the Line of Control. The event is organized by the Shree Rajneesh Temple (SRT) and will be facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, head of the Shree Rajneesh Foundation. On September 19, 2026, the announcement drew sharp criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, who called for cancellation and police intervention.
Background & Context
The Shree Rajneesh Temple, linked to the Rajneesh movement, has faced opposition over public events. A similar “Tantra” retreat organized by the same foundation was cancelled in Goa after its promotional material sparked public outrage and required police action. Critics in Gurez frame the proposal as an attempt to commercialize spirituality and undermine local religious and cultural values.
Key Figures
- Mehbooba Mufti – President of the PDP, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq – Chief cleric of Kashmir.
- Nasir-ul-Islam – Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Swami Dhyan Sumit – Monk heading the Shree Rajneesh Foundation.
Timeline
- September 19, 2026 – PDP, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam publicly demand cancellation of the retreat.
- September 24-27, 2026 – Scheduled dates for the “Tantra in Silence” retreat in Gurez valley.
Official Statements & Responses
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasized that Kashmir’s spiritual heritage should not be “marketed at a cost” and urged the administration to stop what he termed exploitation. Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam asked authorities to verify the organizers, examine the programme and promotional material, and ensure compliance with law and local religious sensitivities.
Verbatim Quote
> “Gurez’s hospitality must never be understood as indifference to its moral cultural character. Kashmir welcomes guests but it does not surrender its values. Tourism must serve the dignity of the land and its people, not become a pretext for introducing practices incompatible with deeply held convictions,” — Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam
What's Next
The chief minister and police have been asked to verify the event’s permissions, assess its content against legal and cultural standards, and decide whether to allow the retreat to proceed. No official response from the administration has been reported.