SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 9 – What began as a planned celebration of Hazratbal Dargah’s renovation, timed with the Islamic holy month of Rabi al-Awwal and the 1500th birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has now spiraled into one of Kashmir’s most polarising controversies in recent memory. At the centre of the storm is the placement of the national emblem of India inside the main prayer hall of the sacred Hazratbal shrine — a move that has sparked widespread protests, detentions, and intensified political confrontations.
The emblem, a four-lion symbol representing the Republic of India, was affixed to a commemorative plaque by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, headed by BJP leader Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, during a function marking the renovation of the revered dargah. Instead of being met with reverence, the gesture has triggered uproar among devotees and religious leaders, who have termed it a violation of Islamic principles and an affront to the sanctity of the shrine.
Shock and Backlash at Hazratbal
The Hazratbal shrine is the most venerated site for Kashmiri Muslims, known not just for its architectural beauty but for housing the Moi-e-Muqqadas — a hair relic of Prophet Muhammad. On September 6, the dargah witnessed massive footfall ahead of the Prophet’s birth anniversary. Worshippers were stunned to find a newly installed plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem inside the main prayer chamber.
Videos that quickly circulated online showed scores of worshippers raising religious slogans, demanding the immediate removal of the plaque, and condemning the Waqf Board’s actions. Religious leaders and ordinary citizens alike described the emblem as “alien” and “blasphemous” in a sacred space where the focus must remain solely on Tawheed — the oneness of God in Islam.
The emotional reaction from the public wasn’t confined to social media. Within 24 hours, chaos ensued at the dargah, with demonstrators tearing down the plaque. The local police soon launched an investigation, arresting between 25 to 50 individuals based on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts. Among those detained were women, though officials clarified that minors would not face prosecution.
Political Tempest and Allegations of Provocation
Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi’s remarks in the aftermath fanned the flames even further. She labelled the protesters “terrorists”, called for their arrest, and urged that those responsible be booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) — a controversial law often criticised for enabling prolonged detentions without trial.
Her remarks drew sharp condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. National Conference (NC) MLA Tanvir Sadiq, who represents Hazratbal, denounced the emblem’s installation, stating it violated Islamic teachings. “Sacred spaces must reflect the purity of Tawheed,” he said, highlighting the Islamic prohibition against symbols or figures in places of worship.
Prominent NC Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi questioned not only the emblem’s placement but its broader political implications. “This isn’t about renovation; it’s an assault on our faith and identity,” he told reporters, noting that the Indian Constitution itself bars the use of national emblems in religious spaces.
He also pointed out the absence of similar installations at major Hindu religious sites such as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya or the Vaishno Devi temple, adding that Hazratbal was being treated differently to provoke and humiliate.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah echoed similar concerns, terming the plaque a “mistake” that hurt religious sentiments. He questioned the appropriateness of using government symbols in religious sites, and expressed alarm at the Waqf Board’s aggressive response instead of issuing a public apology.
Religious Leaders Warn of Overreach
The controversy has unified religious organisations in condemnation. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a coalition of Muslim clerics led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, warned that introducing plaques and government symbols into mosques was “an innovation with no religious basis”.
Mirwaiz stated that even during the reconstruction of Hazratbal in the 1970s, no plaques or foundation stones were used, respecting Islamic traditions. “Placing such symbols inside a mosque goes against the very principles that define the sanctity of the space,” he said, urging immediate removal and restraint from further provocations.
Nationalist Reaction and Online Polarisation
While the move angered locals and religious authorities, pro-government supporters online seized the moment to brand the protesters as anti-national, igniting a fresh wave of digital hostility toward Kashmiris.
Pro-BJP influencers accused the demonstrators of dishonouring the nation by defacing the emblem, intensifying an already sensitive issue. The divisive narrative on social media further complicated an already charged atmosphere, with hashtags and campaigns suggesting punitive actions and loyalty tests.
In contrast, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, condemned the incident as a deliberate attempt to provoke the Muslim community. She linked the emblem row to a larger ideological agenda driven by the BJP, stating that religious sensibilities were being manipulated for political ends.
Hazratbal: A Site of Sacred and Strategic Significance
The emblem controversy cannot be seen in isolation. Hazratbal Dargah has long been a flashpoint in Kashmir’s socio-political landscape. The theft of the holy relic in 1963 had paralyzed the Valley, prompting an urgent response from then Prime Minister Nehru. Subsequent events, including the 1993 armed siege of the shrine, cemented its central role in Kashmir’s history.
Historian Dr Abdul Ahad notes that Hazratbal is not merely a mosque; it is a symbol of spiritual unity, regional identity, and political resistance. The shrine’s involvement in major turning points of Kashmiri history — from relic theft to sieges and mass uprisings — makes any interference here deeply consequential.
Even Indian intelligence reports have acknowledged that any unrest at Hazratbal echoes far beyond its marble walls, with the potential to trigger Valley-wide mobilisation and political fallout.
Legal Questions Over Emblem Usage
Legal experts are also raising red flags over the plaque’s compliance with Indian law. The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 restricts the use of the national emblem to authorised state bodies, and religious institutions are not included in that list.
A Srinagar-based constitutional lawyer told Samachar Post, on the condition of anonymity, that the Waqf Board may have violated statutory provisions by placing the emblem inside a mosque. “The emblem is a secular state symbol and should not be used in religious contexts, especially without explicit central government authorisation,” he explained.
The legal ambiguity, coupled with widespread religious objection, has only deepened the controversy.
A Deeper Discontent Brewing
The current dispute is more than a disagreement over a symbol; it reflects a growing disconnect between Kashmir’s administration and its people. Critics argue that the Waqf Board, under Andrabi, has been weaponised for political consolidation, and its actions increasingly appear unilateral and insensitive to local traditions.
Many Kashmiris view the emblem incident as a manifestation of creeping homogenisation — a perceived attempt to dilute Islamic symbols and replace them with state insignia to reinforce a nationalist narrative.
The rapid police response, mass arrests, and the invocation of PSA — instead of dialogue — have reinforced fears of state overreach. Observers warn that such heavy-handedness risks eroding already fragile trust in New Delhi’s intentions, especially in a post-Article 370 Kashmir still adjusting to constitutional and demographic changes.
Current Status and Lingering Questions
Following public backlash, the plaque was quietly removed, and Hazratbal reopened for prayers, albeit under tight security. However, the public mood remains tense. No apology has been issued by the Waqf Board, and Andrabi has doubled down on her stance, even hinting that she had anticipated such a reaction.
Her cryptic remarks have raised further suspicion. “I had warned that such trouble could be created,” she said in an interview. This has sparked questions: To whom did she issue that warning? What were her intentions? Was this move deliberate?
As political parties continue to exchange accusations and the BJP frames the protests as anti-national, it’s clear the issue is far from over.
The Hazratbal emblem controversy has exposed the fault lines where faith, politics, and identity collide in Kashmir. While the symbol has been physically removed, the emotional, political, and legal aftermath lingers. With religious leaders calling for restraint, political figures demanding accountability, and citizens mourning what they see as an assault on their spiritual dignity, the government’s next steps will be closely scrutinised.
How authorities respond — with empathy or further escalation — could define the future of Waqf administration and determine whether Hazratbal remains a sanctuary of faith or a battleground of political assertion.
