Saturday, September 6, 2025
27.1 C
Srinagar

Omar Abdullah Says Emblem Belongs to Govt, Not Shrines, Demands Waqf Board Apology; Mehbooba Mufti Seeks Action Under 295-A Over Hazratbal Plaque

Srinagar, Sept 6,: Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday joined the chorus of criticism over the installation of a plaque bearing the State Emblem of India inside the Hazratbal shrine, saying the symbol has no place at religious sites.
“The emblem is used for government functions, not at religious places. It was never meant to be displayed at the Dargah Hazratbal,” Omar Abdullah said. He added that the Waqf Board should have tendered an apology instead of defending the move. “They should have admitted their mistake and apologised for hurting religious sentiments,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing outrage after the emblem on the newly installed inauguration plaque at Hazratbal was defaced by worshippers yesterday, triggering a political war of words. While Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi termed the act an attack on the Constitution and demanded PSA against those involved, political leaders have accused the Board itself of showing insensitivity.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti had earlier demanded action under Section 295-A against the Waqf Board, arguing that installing the emblem amounted to an act that outraged the sentiments of Muslims.

Mehbooba Mufti seeks action under 295-A against Waqf Board over Hazratbal plaque

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday demanded legal action against those responsible for installing the controversial inauguration plaque bearing the State Emblem inside the Hazratbal shrine, invoking Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code that deals with deliberate acts intended to outrage religious sentiments.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the former chief minister said the move had deeply hurt the religious feelings of Muslims and those responsible should be booked under the law. “Instead of taking action against those who defaced the emblem out of religious sentiment, the government should lodge an FIR against the Waqf Board chairperson and members who allowed such an act. Hazratbal is a religious place, not a venue for coronation or political symbolism,” Mehbooba said.

She castigated Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi for demanding PSA against those who vandalised the plaque. “Calling the Home Minister of India to slap PSA on locals is unacceptable. The real question is who permitted installation of the emblem in a shrine where there is no concept of idol worship,” she added.

Mehbooba maintained that successive governments had worked for the development of Hazratbal but had refrained from what she described as “unislamic practices.”

“This was not a BJP function. Unfortunately, the sanctity of Hazratbal was compromised in this manner,” she remarked. [KNT]

Hot this week

SPO dies after falling into stream in Ramban’s Ramsoo,Two Persons Drown in Wular Lake, Rescue Operation Launched

Ramban,Bandipora, Sept 6,: A Special Police Officer (SPO) lost...

Kashmir’s larges Islamic conglomerate demands immediate removal of palque at Hazratbal shrine

Srinagar, Sep 6,: Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest conglomerate...

FIR registered over defacing of Ashoka Emblem at Hazratbal shrine

Srinagar, Sept 6,: Police on Saturday registered an FIR...

Light Rains Forecast in J&K, No Major Weather Activity Till Sept 12: MeT

Srinagar, Sept 6,: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast...

4 arrested as Wildlife deptt strike heavy on poachers in Shallabugh wetland

Srinagar :In a significant achievement, the Wildlife Department on...

Topics

Kashmir’s larges Islamic conglomerate demands immediate removal of palque at Hazratbal shrine

Srinagar, Sep 6,: Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest conglomerate...

FIR registered over defacing of Ashoka Emblem at Hazratbal shrine

Srinagar, Sept 6,: Police on Saturday registered an FIR...

Light Rains Forecast in J&K, No Major Weather Activity Till Sept 12: MeT

Srinagar, Sept 6,: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast...

4 arrested as Wildlife deptt strike heavy on poachers in Shallabugh wetland

Srinagar :In a significant achievement, the Wildlife Department on...

Jhelum water level rises in Uri, authorities issue flood advisory

Movement near river banned, residents in low-lying areas put...

Light Rains Forecast in J&K, No Major Weather Activity Till Sept 12: MeT

Srinagar: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast intermittent rain...

Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW): Thousands attend night long prayers at Hazratbal

Devotees seek blessings, recall Prophet’s (SAW) message of compassion,...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img