Tensions escalated in Srinagar on Friday when a group of locals allegedly vandalized the National Emblem Ashok Chakra inscribed on a plaque at the Hazratbal Shrine. The plaque, placed outside the main prayer hall after recent renovations, has sparked significant controversy since the act.
Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, showing a crowd defacing the emblem amid public outcry. Authorities have officially registered a case and initiated an investigation into the act.
The vandalism has led to a sharp political backlash. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the act, labeling it as “terrorist-like” and demanding severe legal consequences for those involved. BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi, who also chairs the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of facilitating anti-national elements.
“This act doesn’t just damage a stone — it attacks the Constitution and the values it upholds,” Andrabi stated during a press interaction. She called on police and security agencies, as well as key political leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to treat the matter with the seriousness it warrants.
In contrast, NC spokesperson and former MLA Tanvir Sadiq argued that placing a sculpted emblem in a religious site violates Islamic principles. “I’m no religious scholar,” Sadiq said on social media, “but Islam strictly forbids idol worship. The presence of any sculpted figure, even the national emblem, in a place of worship contradicts the principle of Tawheed, the foundation of our faith.”
Sadiq also emphasized the need to maintain the sanctity of religious spaces. Although no arrests have been made, police confirmed they are examining video evidence and eyewitness accounts. The incident has captured public attention, with many calling for both restraint and accountability.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/national/jammu-kashmir-national-emblem-vandalization-sparks-row.html
Category: National,Top News,Ashok Chakra,Hazratbal,Jammu and Kashmir,National Conference,Viral Video
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Publish Date: 2025-09-05 23:15:00
