A fierce controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following the installation of a renovation plaque at the revered Hazratbal shrine—one that featured the national emblem along with the names of Waqf Board officials, including Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi. Unidentified individuals subsequently vandalised the plaque after Friday prayers, leading to arrests and heightened political tensions.
Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti condemned the plaque installation as deeply disrespectful, labeling it an act of blasphemy. She urged legal action against Waqf Board officials—including the chairperson—under Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (now part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), alleging that the move intentionally hurt religious sentiments. Mufti sharply criticized Andrabi for calling for the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) against those who defaced the plaque, arguing instead that those behind the installation—not the protesters—should be held accountable.
Mufti emphasized that Hazratbal is a sacred site, not a platform for political recognition, and demanded that those responsible for the plaque’s placement be removed from office. She also appealed for calm, urging the local community to avoid actions that might provoke further crackdowns or arrests.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also weighed in, questioning the appropriateness of placing the national emblem in a religious institution. He said state symbols are meant for governmental, not religious spaces, and suggested the Waqf Board should acknowledge the mistake and apologize.
Religious leaders echoed Mufti’s sentiment, stating that such symbolism defies Islamic traditions, which discourage plaques and emblems in shrines. They urged the Waqf Board to resolve the matter through respectful dialogue rather than law enforcement.
The episode has ignited a broader conversation on the delicate balance between religious sanctity, political messaging, and administrative decisions involved in managing Kashmir’s cultural heritage.