National Emblem at Hazratbal Shrine Defaced; Andrabi Labels Perpetrators “Terrorists”

Srinagar, Sept 5: Amid slogan-shouting crowds, a group of people defaced the national emblem engraved on a foundation-stone plaque inside the Hazratbal Shrine following Friday prayers. Social media footage captured over a hundred people hitting the emblem with stones, aiming to erase it.

Strong Condemnation by Waqf Board Chief

Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board, condemned the act as a “terrorist attack”, demanding immediate legal action under the Public Safety Act. She described the defacement as “an assault on the Constitution and the sanctity of the shrine,” and urged swift FIR registration.

Andrabi also indirectly criticized NC spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq—who had opposed the emblem’s placement on religious grounds—accusing him of lacking religious understanding and protecting militants. She warned that perpetrators would be banned from the shrine for life.

NC Leaders Cite Religious Sensitivities

National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq responded by emphasizing that depicting symbols in religious places violates Islamic principle of Tawheed, which forbids idol or sculpture in sacred spaces. He expressed regret over the act but asked for empathy rather than punitive action.

Other NC leaders called the plaque’s placement “self-glorifying” and a serious provocation of religious sentiments, warning that use of PSA could inflame tensions further.

Political Fallout & Controversy

The incident has sparked a fierce political firestorm. BJP officials pledged strict punishment, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the vandalism but questioned the rationale behind placing the national emblem inside a shrine—a symbol he said is meant for government institutions, not religious sites.

---

Source: Based on reporting by Daily Excelsior (Read original)

Labels: Hazratbal Shrine, National Emblem, Darakhshan Andrabi, Vandalism, Political Controversy

Tags: #Hazratbal #Vandalism #NationalEmblem #Andrabi #DailyExcelsior

Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten summary based on reporting by Daily Excelsior. Jammu News Portal does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of external content.