Vandalism of National Emblem at Hazratbal Shrine Sparks Arrests and Political Row
The vandalisation of a plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem at Srinagar's Hazratbal shrine has led to the detention of over 50 people and sparked a major political controversy. The plaque was damaged after Friday prayers by individuals who argued its presence was contrary to Islamic principles. Regional political parties have criticised the Waqf Board for placing the emblem in a sacred site, calling it provocative, while the BJP has condemned the vandalism as an attack on national dignity, escalating tensions in the region.
Unpacked:
Hazratbal Shrine is revered because it houses the Moi-e-Muqqadas, a relic believed to be a hair of Prophet Muhammad, making it the holiest Muslim shrine in Kashmir and a major site for worship and pilgrimage.
The Ashoka emblem is India's national symbol, representing secular governance. Some believe displaying it in a mosque contradicts Islamic principles and blurs the line between religion and state, which can provoke controversy in sensitive religious sites.
The Hazratbal Shrine has frequently been at the center of political crises, such as the 1963 theft of the holy relic that triggered mass protests, and violent clashes in 1996, highlighting its deep significance in Kashmir's socio-political landscape.
Regional parties criticized the Waqf Board for placing the emblem, viewing it as provocative in a sacred space, while the BJP condemned the vandalism as an affront to national dignity, reflecting divergent views on religious and national symbolism.