Dress properly or don't visit Kashmir: Jamaat-e-Islami

Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, a religiopolitical organisation on Wednesday asked tourists to follow a proper dress code or stop visiting the Himalayan Valley.

In a statement issued in Srinagar, Advocate Zahid Ali, spokesperson of the Jamaat said, "A guest is supposed to respect the sentiments of the host and the host to welcome him with enthusiasm. Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen wandering in short miniskirts and other objectionable dresses here which is quite against the local ethos and culture and is not acceptable to the civil society at all."

"For simple monetary benefits, no nation can compromise on its morality and obligatory customs and as such endanger its future generation. It is the duty of the tourism department officials to impress upon the tourists to honour the local ethos. The Kashmiris cannot for the sake of their economy, give up their divine values at any cost. We need no such guests who can become a cause of derailing the society from the right track and spread immorality and immodesty in the name of tourism," the statement said.

"Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir cautions people against the well-designed vicious plans of the anti Islamic forces who are working here tirelessly to deviate the Kashmiri Muslims from their religious ethos which are indispensable for their very identity. Jamaat also impresses upon the tourism department authorities not to encourage this cultural aggression against Kashmiri Muslims and remain vigilant against those elements who in the garb of promoting tourism are in fact promoting vulgarity, alcoholism, drug-traffic and other immoral activities."

The dress code diktat by the Jamaat, which is essentially seen as a religious organisation has brought back memories of early 1990s when some militant groups banned, wine shops, beauty parlours, video shops and cinema halls in the Valley.

Kashmir Valley is teeming with tourists, both domestic and foreign these days. According to figures available, over half a million tourists have so far visited the valley.