Uproar over breaking of plaque with national symbol at Hazratbal Dargah; religious and political controversy deepens

A plaque bearing the national emblem at Srinagar’s Hazratbal Dargah was vandalised, sparking a religious and political row between Waqf Board, BJP, and opposition leaders over faith and constitutional symbolism.

New Delhi: Recently, after the reconstruction work at Hazratbal Dargah, located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, an inauguration plaque was installed, on which the national symbol, the Ashoka Pillar, was inscribed. But on Friday, some unknown people broke this plaque, which led to a big religious and political controversy.

Controversy begins over national symbol

Some local people and leaders protested when a plaque with the Ashoka Pillar was installed in the dargah premises. They said that the display of idols and figures is forbidden in Islam, and installing such things at any religious place is against the principles of Tawheed (unity of God).

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Reacting to this, National Conference (NC) MLA Tanveer Sadiq said, “Idol worship is the biggest sin in Islam. Only purity of Tawheed should prevail at such holy places.”

Waqf Board’s response

Waqf Board chairperson Darshan Andrabi, who is also a BJP leader, called it a violation of law and the Constitution and demanded an FIR. She said it was not just a stone-breaking incident but an insult to constitutional symbols.

Andrabi also attacked Tanveer Sadiq, saying his tweet was like adding fuel to the fire and an FIR should be lodged against him as well. She said, “Such people should be arrested under PSA (Public Safety Act). If no action is taken, I will go on a hunger strike.”

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Opposition parties' reaction

After the incident, several political leaders and religious organizations objected to Andrabi's statements. NC MP Agha Ruhullah Mehdi said, “This is playing with religious sentiments. People did the right thing by protesting. The dargah itself is a holy place; it does not need anyone's identity.”

PDP leader Iltija Mufti said on Andrabi’s “terrorist” comment, “Calling someone a terrorist for expressing religious sentiments shows BJP's communal thinking.” Former mayor Junaid Mattu asked NC that if they are protesting so much, then why don't they remove the Waqf chairperson?

Those who removed the plaque were said to be motivated by religious sentiments

In the viral video, some people were seen removing the plaque. These people called it an act of hurting religious sentiments and said that “There should not be any symbol in the dargah that appears like idol worship.”

The controversy that started over the plaque with the national emblem at Hazratbal Dargah has now taken a political turn. On the one hand, the Waqf Board and BJP are linking it to the Constitution and patriotism, while on the other hand, the local people and opposition parties are calling it a violation of religious sentiments.