Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday criticized the state Waqf Board for installing a foundation stone with the national emblem at Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine, which was vandalized last week amid public outrage.
Reacting to reports of 25 people being detained over the vandalism, Abdullah questioned the very need for the plaque. “Sher-e-Kashmir established the Hazratbal shrine. However, he never put his name on it anywhere because it was not necessary. What was the need to put up that stone?” he told reporters.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also condemned the Waqf Board’s decision, accusing its chairperson of provoking religious sentiments. She alleged that her party’s attempt to file an FIR against the Waqf chief had been ignored, while “innocent people” were being detained. “This is not about patriotism or nationalism. The Waqf Board should have known that placing the emblem in this manner would hurt religious sentiments,” she said.
The controversy escalated after a mob vandalized the Ashoka emblem at the shrine, sparking heated debate over the placement of national symbols in religious spaces. National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq also weighed in, saying while the Ashok Chakra is respected, it was “misused” by Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi.