Our Bureau
Srinagar
A huge controversy had erupted at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir where a raging mob had vandalised the Ashoka Emblem on the inauguration stone. This led to a heated debate on the disrespect to national symbols and the religious sentiments of a community. Now, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, has spoken on the matter and strongly condemned the vandalism of the Ashoka Emblem.
Mr. Rijiju took to his social media to express his disappointment over the damage to the Ashoka Emblem. He stated that Hazratbal Shrine is a sacred place and a symbol of peace and he highly condemns the vandalism of the revered inauguration stone.
In a post on X, the minister wrote, “Hazratbal Shrine is a symbol of peace. The shrine’s deep connection to the Prophet Muhammad’s relic has truly contributed to its image as a beacon of “Faith & Unity”. I strongly condemn the vandalism of the sacred Ashoka Emblem from the Dargah Hazratbal inauguration stone.”
Through his post, Mr, Rijiju was responding to a post made by the Chairperson of Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Dr Darakshan Andrabi, who strongly reprimanded the vandalism. She called it a “terrorist attack” and has demanded a legal action against the ones responsible for the act. She even stated that these goons were of some political party and are the same ones who had tarnished Kashmir.
“This incident is very unfortunate. Tarnishing the national emblem is a terrorist attack, and the attackers are the goons of a political party. These people destroyed Kashmir earlier as well, and now they have openly come inside the Dargah Sharif,” said Andrabi.
The whole controversy is around a viral video that showcased a mob tarnishing the national emblem on a marble plaque at the shrine, stating that sculpting figures goes against Islamic principles that forbid idol worship. The whole incident had divided people into two sides while many condemned the act, National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had criticised the installation of national emblems in religious places.
