.jpg)
26 arrested for vandalism of Ashoka symbol at Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar
Srinagar, September 8, 2025: The incident of vandalism of the national symbol, Ashoka symbol, at the famous Hazratbal Dargah in the capital of Jammu and Kashmir has created a stir across the country. The police have arrested 26 people in this case, which has created tension in the political and social atmosphere. The incident took place on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad on September 5, 2025, when the Ashoka symbol was engraved on a marble slab installed after the renovation of the dargah.
The renovation of the Hazratbal Dargah was completed on September 3, 2025 under the supervision of Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader Dr. Darkhan Andrabi. After this renovation, a slab was installed outside the main prayer space of the dargah, on which the Ashoka symbol was engraved on one side and the Islamic symbol on the other. However, some locals considered this symbol to be an idol and opposed it, claiming that it was against Islamic principles. After Friday prayers, some people attacked the stone slab and broke the Ashoka symbol. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, which has sparked strong reactions.
Taking immediate action in this case, the police have registered an FIR No. 76/2025 at Nagin police station against unknown persons under sections 300, 352, 191(2), 324(4), 196, 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the PINH Act, 1971. Based on the CCTV footage and the video circulating on social media, the police have arrested 26 suspects. “No one has been formally arrested yet, but interrogation is on. Strict legal action will be taken against the guilty,” a senior police officer said.
The incident has sparked a political controversy. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has raised questions over the Waqf Board’s action. He said, “The national emblem is for government functions, not for religious places. Why did the Waqf Board commit such a mistake? It should apologise for this.” On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has termed the use of the emblem as ‘blasphemy’ and accused the Waqf Board of hurting religious sentiments. National Conference MLA Tanveer Sadiq has also objected to the installation of the Ashoka symbol, citing Islamic principles.
Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Andrabi has termed the vandalism as an ‘act of terrorism’ and demanded action against the culprits under the Public Safety Act (PSA). She said, “Insulting the national emblem is a serious crime. This incident has hurt the sanctity and dignity of the dargah. The culprits will be banned from entering the dargah and legal action will be taken against them.” She has also accused the National Conference of instigating people in this matter.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the incident. He termed the act as “deeply saddening”, but declined to comment directly on the installation of the symbol. Local police said the situation was under control and tight security arrangements have been deployed around the dargah to prevent further tension.
The incident has once again brought to the fore the issue of religious and political sensitivities in the Kashmir Valley. Some local leaders have accused the government and the Waqf Board of irresponsibility while linking the incident to religious sentiments, while others have linked the insult to the national symbol to sedition. According to legal experts, the culprits in this case can be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, as it includes both the offenses of insulting the national symbol and damage to public property.
Hazratbal Dargah is a holy religious site in Kashmir, and any incident here attracts attention at the local and national levels. All eyes are on the further action of the police in this case and the statements of political leaders. This will require the administration to take special care to maintain peace and harmony in Kashmir.
Srinagar, September 8, 2025: The incident of vandalism of the national symbol, Ashoka symbol, at the famous Hazratbal Dargah in the capital of Jammu and Kashmir has created a stir across the country. The police have arrested 26 people in this case, which has created tension in the political and social atmosphere. The incident took place on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad on September 5, 2025, when the Ashoka symbol was engraved on a marble slab installed after the renovation of the dargah.
The renovation of the Hazratbal Dargah was completed on September 3, 2025 under the supervision of Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader Dr. Darkhan Andrabi. After this renovation, a slab was installed outside the main prayer space of the dargah, on which the Ashoka symbol was engraved on one side and the Islamic symbol on the other. However, some locals considered this symbol to be an idol and opposed it, claiming that it was against Islamic principles. After Friday prayers, some people attacked the stone slab and broke the Ashoka symbol. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, which has sparked strong reactions.
Taking immediate action in this case, the police have registered an FIR No. 76/2025 at Nagin police station against unknown persons under sections 300, 352, 191(2), 324(4), 196, 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the PINH Act, 1971. Based on the CCTV footage and the video circulating on social media, the police have arrested 26 suspects. “No one has been formally arrested yet, but interrogation is on. Strict legal action will be taken against the guilty,” a senior police officer said.
The incident has sparked a political controversy. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has raised questions over the Waqf Board’s action. He said, “The national emblem is for government functions, not for religious places. Why did the Waqf Board commit such a mistake? It should apologise for this.” On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has termed the use of the emblem as ‘blasphemy’ and accused the Waqf Board of hurting religious sentiments. National Conference MLA Tanveer Sadiq has also objected to the installation of the Ashoka symbol, citing Islamic principles.
Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Andrabi has termed the vandalism as an ‘act of terrorism’ and demanded action against the culprits under the Public Safety Act (PSA). She said, “Insulting the national emblem is a serious crime. This incident has hurt the sanctity and dignity of the dargah. The culprits will be banned from entering the dargah and legal action will be taken against them.” She has also accused the National Conference of instigating people in this matter.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the incident. He termed the act as “deeply saddening”, but declined to comment directly on the installation of the symbol. Local police said the situation was under control and tight security arrangements have been deployed around the dargah to prevent further tension.
The incident has once again brought to the fore the issue of religious and political sensitivities in the Kashmir Valley. Some local leaders have accused the government and the Waqf Board of irresponsibility while linking the incident to religious sentiments, while others have linked the insult to the national symbol to sedition. According to legal experts, the culprits in this case can be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, as it includes both the offenses of insulting the national symbol and damage to public property.
Hazratbal Dargah is a holy religious site in Kashmir, and any incident here attracts attention at the local and national levels. All eyes are on the further action of the police in this case and the statements of political leaders. This will require the administration to take special care to maintain peace and harmony in Kashmir.
The renovation of the Hazratbal Dargah was completed on September 3, 2025 under the supervision of Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader Dr. Darkhan Andrabi. After this renovation, a slab was installed outside the main prayer space of the dargah, on which the Ashoka symbol was engraved on one side and the Islamic symbol on the other. However, some locals considered this symbol to be an idol and opposed it, claiming that it was against Islamic principles. After Friday prayers, some people attacked the stone slab and broke the Ashoka symbol. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, which has sparked strong reactions.
Taking immediate action in this case, the police have registered an FIR No. 76/2025 at Nagin police station against unknown persons under sections 300, 352, 191(2), 324(4), 196, 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the PINH Act, 1971. Based on the CCTV footage and the video circulating on social media, the police have arrested 26 suspects. “No one has been formally arrested yet, but interrogation is on. Strict legal action will be taken against the guilty,” a senior police officer said.
The incident has sparked a political controversy. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has raised questions over the Waqf Board’s action. He said, “The national emblem is for government functions, not for religious places. Why did the Waqf Board commit such a mistake? It should apologise for this.” On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has termed the use of the emblem as ‘blasphemy’ and accused the Waqf Board of hurting religious sentiments. National Conference MLA Tanveer Sadiq has also objected to the installation of the Ashoka symbol, citing Islamic principles.
Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Andrabi has termed the vandalism as an ‘act of terrorism’ and demanded action against the culprits under the Public Safety Act (PSA). She said, “Insulting the national emblem is a serious crime. This incident has hurt the sanctity and dignity of the dargah. The culprits will be banned from entering the dargah and legal action will be taken against them.” She has also accused the National Conference of instigating people in this matter.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the incident. He termed the act as “deeply saddening”, but declined to comment directly on the installation of the symbol. Local police said the situation was under control and tight security arrangements have been deployed around the dargah to prevent further tension.
The incident has once again brought to the fore the issue of religious and political sensitivities in the Kashmir Valley. Some local leaders have accused the government and the Waqf Board of irresponsibility while linking the incident to religious sentiments, while others have linked the insult to the national symbol to sedition. According to legal experts, the culprits in this case can be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, as it includes both the offenses of insulting the national symbol and damage to public property.
Hazratbal Dargah is a holy religious site in Kashmir, and any incident here attracts attention at the local and national levels. All eyes are on the further action of the police in this case and the statements of political leaders. This will require the administration to take special care to maintain peace and harmony in Kashmir.
