Mob Vandalises Plaque With Ashoka Emblem At Hazratbal Shrine, Sparks War Of Words In Valley

Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 13:17 IST

Protesters argued that the emblem’s sculpted lions resembled figurative representations, making it incompatible with the shrine’s religious ethos

The uproar stemmed from interpretations of Islamic principles, particularly Tawheed meaning the oneness of God, which strictly prohibits idol worship or the depiction of figures in places of worship. (Screenshot)

A massive controversy erupted at Srinagar’s Hazratbal Shrine on Friday after a mob used stones to smash a renovation plaque engraved with the Ashoka emblem over its perceived violation of Islamic principles against figurative depictions in sacred spaces.

The uproar stemmed from interpretations of Islamic principles, particularly Tawheed meaning the oneness of God, which strictly prohibits idol worship or the depiction of figures in places of worship.

Protesters argued that the emblem’s sculpted lions resembled figurative representations, making it incompatible with the shrine’s religious ethos.

The shrine recently underwent a major renovation and beautification project and was inaugurated by Darakshan Andrabi, chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board and a senior BJP leader.

National Conference leader and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq condemned the installation of the plaque on social media, saying: “Placing a sculpted figure at the revered Hazratbal Dargah goes against this very belief. Sacred spaces must reflect only the purity of Tawheed, nothing else.”

However, Andrabi strongly condemned the vandalism, labelling it a “terrorist attack” and an assault on the Constitution, the dignity of the shrine, and national symbols. She demanded an FIR and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene.

She accused National Conference (NC) activists of orchestrating the act, linking it to their “old games of stone pelting” and frustration over not controlling the Waqf Board.

Reacting to the accusations, NC slammed Andrabi and termed the plaque a matter of grave concern. “The Waqf is not the personal estate of any individual. It is a trust run on the contributions and donations of ordinary Muslims, and it must be managed in line with their faith and traditions,” NC said in a post on X.

The party said instead of offering an apology for hurting religious sentiments, threats were being issued of detaining people under the public safety act.

People’s Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti too termed the plaque a “deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims”.

“Labelling Kashmiris as ‘terrorists’ just because they expressed their anger on something which hurt their religious sentiments and asking police to slap them with PSA reflects the BJP’s punitive and communal mindset. The Waqf board should certainly have been more mindful and sensitive. It seems that Muslims are being deliberately provoked,” she said.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, reacting to the row, said: “I’ve never seen an emblem being used in any religious place. What was the need to use an emblem and stone? Sheikh Abdullah shaped the current Hazratbal shrine, and there was no stone in his name. No one has apologised for this mistake. Google it and check if religious places have government emblems. Temples, shrines, and gurdwaras are religious places and not government property.”

Police sources told News18 that a case has been registered and people involved in the incident are being identified to take action against them.

About the Author

Ieshan Wani

Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been from Kashmir….Read More

Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been from Kashmir…. Read More

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