Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the national emblems are not meant to be used in religious institutions. Abdullah said he has never seen am emblem being used at religious places. His remark came amid a controversy over the vanalisation of Hazratbal shrine in the Union Territory.

The CM was visiting the flood affected areas in Jammu and Kashmir where he criticised the use of the national emblem on a renovation plaque by the Waqf Board at Srinagar’s Hazratbal mosque. He asserted that the symbol is meant for government functions and not religious institutions.

Abdullah added that the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board should apologise for the “mistake” that has hurt religious sentiments.

“First, the question arises whether the national emblem should have been used on this stone or not. I have never seen an emblem being used in this way in any religious place,” Abdullah told reporters.

“Mosques, shrines, temples and gurdwaras are not government institutions. These are religious institutions and government emblems are not used in religious institutions,” he said, adding “So, what was the compulsion to have the emblem on the stone at Hazratbal Shrine? What was the need to put up the stone? Was just work not enough? Hazratbal Shrine was given this form by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.”

“Google search and you will find that the national emblem is only used in government functions,” Abdullah added, quoted PTI.

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What is the controversy?

A video went viral on social media showing a mob vandalising a plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem that was placed inside the revered Hazratbal shrine. The incident came shortly after prayers on Friday. The cops registered a case on Saturday on charges of breach of peace, rioting and criminal conspiracy against unidentified persons in connection with the incident, the report said. 

The matter became more serious when Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi called for legal action, including booking the “hooligans” under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), for removing the emblem.

The J&K CM, however, critcised Andrabi’s response, saying that the board “played with the sentiments of the people” and is now using threats.

“First, at least, they should have apologised for it. They should admit the mistake. It should not have happened,” he added.

“What was the need for this plaque? Was the work done not enough? Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah gave shape to this shrine… Even today, people remember his work, despite the fact that he did not use a stone in his name. There was no need to use a stone,” the chief minister further said.

Reacting to the incident, Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said it “seems that Muslims are deliberately being provoked” and criticised the call for the use of the PSA as a reflection of a “punitive and communal mindset”. 

Abdullah visits flood-hit areas

The Chief Minister visited the flood affected areas on Saturday and said that the administration is working day and night to provide relief to the residents. He interacted with the affected families, assuring them that his government stands with them in these testing times and will take all possible measures to help them.

The CM also held a review meeting in Anantnag to assess the post-flood situation and directed the district administration to expedite relief and rehabilitation, restore essential services, repair damaged infrastructure, strengthen vulnerable embankments and ensure adequate supply of food, medicines and drinking water for the affected population.

“The loss has been there. But the administration has worked well – people were relocated to safer places, and hence there has been less loss of lives. The properties that have been lost can be compensated, but it’s good that we saved as many lives as we could…” he said.