Srinagar: Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, strongly condemned the vandalism of the Ashoka Emblem at the Hazratbal Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a post on X, Rijiju stated, “Hazratbal Shrine is a symbol of peace. Its deep connection to the Prophet Muhammad’s relic has contributed to its image as a beacon of faith and unity. I strongly condemn the vandalism of the sacred Ashoka Emblem from the Dargah Hazratbal inauguration stone.”
Rijiju’s statement came after J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakshan Andrabi condemned the act, describing it as a “terrorist attack” and urging legal action against those responsible.
A video circulating online showed a mob defacing the national emblem on a marble plaque at the shrine, reportedly citing that sculpting figures violates Islamic teachings.
Dr. Andrabi said, “This incident is very unfortunate. Tarnishing the national emblem is a terrorist act, and the attackers are linked to a political party. These people have previously caused unrest in Kashmir, and now they have entered the Dargah Sharif openly.”
She added that the mob committed a “huge crime” and that an FIR will be filed. “Our administrator had a narrow escape. They have damaged the dignity of the dargah, and once identified, the perpetrators will be banned from the shrine for life,” she stated.
The controversy at the Hazratbal Shrine sparked a heated debate over national symbols and religious sentiments. National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq criticised the emblem’s installation, claiming it violates Islamic principles that forbid idol worship. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called for action against those responsible, termed the installation “blasphemous,” and demanded the disbandment of the Waqf Board.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the use of the national emblem at the shrine, noting that government emblems are not typically placed in religious sites.
The Hazratbal Shrine, located in Srinagar, is a revered religious site that houses a relic of the Prophet Muhammad.
