The vandalism of a newly installed plaque bearing the Ashoka Emblem inside Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine after Friday prayers has sparked a major controversy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the placement of the national symbol in a religious site and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti demanding action under blasphemy laws against the Waqf Board for authorising its installation.
The issue snowballed into major debate on Saturday with several valley based political parties and religious organisations criticising the Waqf Board for installing the plaque inside the Hazratbal, along the banks of Dal Lake, which is one of the most revered Muslim shrines in Jammu and Kashmir as it houses the holy relic of the Prophet.
A group of people who came to offer prayers at the shrine on Friday allegedly damaged the emblem on the inauguration plaque.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the use of the National Emblem on a renovation plaque by the Waqf Board, asserting that the symbol is meant for government functions and not religious institutions.
“Mosques, shrines, temples and gurdwaras are not government institutions. These are religious institutions and government emblems are not used in religious institutions,” he said.
Omar also questioned the necessity of the plaque itself, noting that National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah gave shape to this shrine. Even today, people remember his work, despite the fact that he did not use a stone in his name. There was no need to use a stone, the Chief Minister said.
He said that nowhere in the country is the national emblem used on any religious place. “Google search and you will find that the national emblem is only used in government functions,” he said.
He said the Waqf Board should apologise for the “mistake” that has hurt religious sentiments.
BJP leader and chairperson of Waqf Board, Darakshan Andrabi, described the vandalism as an act of ‘tarnishing of the national emblem’ and a ‘terrorist attack’ demanding action against the culprits under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned installation of the Ashoka Emblem at the Hazratbal shrine, stating it deeply hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.
“This was not a BJP function. Unfortunately, the sanctity of Hazratbal was compromised in this manner,” she said, and urged respect for the religious significance of such sites.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) headed by Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for immediate removal of the plaque and urged the Waqf Board to uphold Islamic traditions.
“Hazratbal is not merely a structure; it is the spiritual heart of the Muslims of Jammu & Kashmir, bound to our faith and identity through centuries of devotion. Any alteration that undermines its sanctity deeply pains the devotional sentiments attached to it”.
“Islam is explicit in its teachings: no plaques, emblems, figures, or symbols are permitted in mosques or shrines. This principle has been honored across our land for generations. Even when the Hazratbal Shrine was rebuilt in the past, no plaques or foundation stones were placed, out of respect for the injunctions of Shari‘ah and tradition. To introduce them now sets a dangerous and unnecessary precedent”, the MMU stated.
“At the same time, MMU believes that the reaction of the people to this issue reflects their sincere religious concern. Filing FIRs against worshippers who protested from the depth of their faith is unjustified and unwarranted. Matters of religion must be resolved with understanding and dialogue, not with harsh punitive measures”, MMU stressed.
The ruling National Conference wrote on X; “When the Prime Minister & Lieutenant Governor don’t use the State Emblem for religious functions, why should Ms Andrabi? Misusing the National Emblem at a shrine violates the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. It insults India’s secular fabric. NC demands her immediate dismissal and registration of a criminal case for violating the State Emblem of India Act”.
Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone said “The sequence of events at the Hazratbal shrine is unfortunate. Using an emblem inside a revered religious shrine is regrettable”.
Meanwhile chief spokesman of BJP, Sunil Sethi strongly condemned the attempt to damage the National symbol and warned that such acts were aimed at reviving extremist sentiments in the valley.