Aasha Khosa/New Delhi

The vandalism of the redeveloped Hazratbal Shrine in Kashmir indicates the intolerance of the National Conference party towards the rise of new forces in Kashmir that are unapologetically Indian. It’s unlike the grand old Kashmir party’s “if’s and but’s” loaded association with India, almost bordering on soft separatism.

This will not be available on the internet, hence NC leaders are conveniently alleging desecration of the shrine with the installation of a plaque with Ashok Stamb, India’s national emblem, and forgetting their misuse of the sacred mosque to further their politics.

For decades, till the rise of Islamic insurgency in Kashmir in 1989, the National Conference used the Hazratbal Dargah as its political platform. The Party held its rallies in its premises and its leaders made important announcements there. Significantly, the Auqaf (Wakf) Committee was under the party’s control.

This was to counter the influence of Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq, whose Awami Action Committee used the platform of Jama-Masjid in downtown Srinagar to wield and expand its influence. Though Mirwaiz could never expand his influence beyond a small part of Srinagar yet he was the only threat to NC's hegomony.

Later, Moulvi Farooq was shot dead by pro-Pakistani terrorists, and his minor son Umer Farooq inherited his position.

The Hazratbal shrine houses the relic of the Prophet Muhammad - a stand of his hair - called Moia muquadas which is shown to public on special occations. The shrine trigged a major upheavel in Kashmir when the holy relic was stolen and later when terrorists were trapped inside it for over a month. 

The Shrine was developed by the Waqf Board headed by a dynamic woman, Dr. Darakshan Andrabi. She is a senior BJP leader and the first woman to lead a Waqf Board. Andrabi claimed the renovation of the shrine was her dream project. Those who saw the refurbished shrine’s interiors praised her profusely for her vision.

Andrabi said this was a "terrorist attack by goondas of a particular party who could not see the world praising the new-look of the dargah." She demanded ban on the entry of people involved inthe incident in the dargah":

ANI | On the viral video of a mob tarnishing the national emblem on the foundation stone of the Hazratbal Shrine, BJP leader and Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board, Dr Darakshan Andrabi says, "This incident is very unfortunate. Tarnishing the national emblem is a terrorist attack, and… pic.twitter.com/ET2qBDN9iX

— Dr Darakhshan Andrabi (@drdarakhshan) September 5, 2025

Interestingly, the logic that Ashok Stambha was an idol hence it cannot be used in a Islamic shrine, doesn't hold ground. Activists have posted the following image of mosques in Indonesia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia & the US that bear the national symbol of the respective countries on social media. It's being widely circulated to counter the NC and other's claims:

Images of mosques from different countries which bear the national symbols

NC’s Lok Sabha MP Syed Aga Rahullah Mehdi, who had infamously opposed the heavy tourist flow to Kashmir as “cultural invasion” before the Pahalgam terrorist strike, was the first to speak in support of those who smashed the Ashok Stambha sign on the plaque at Hazratbal. A lot of young Kashmiris opposed this vandalism. He told a local news channel:

#watch: #Dargah controversy: @RuhullahMehdi demands proper application of law, action against #Waqf Chairperson pic.twitter.com/Si3jQsaPvr

— Greater Kashmir (@GreaterKashmir) September 6, 2025

Senior journalist and anlyst Abijit Iyer-Mitra replied to MP's claims through the images of mosques in Iran. Mehdi is a Shia leader and he is married to an Iraninan woman:

Here are the images of Khomeini & Khamenei + ors on the facades of a mosque in Kermanshah and other places in your wife’s country. Nothing to say here? Two faced hypocrite. https://t.co/VrJNfzDRB7 pic.twitter.com/A4uFPYpp2d

— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) September 6, 2025

However, social media is also full of Kashmiri denouncing this act of desacration of the National emblem. Senior journalist Ahmed Ali Fayyaz hinted that the episode was meant to hinder the peace in Kashmir:

Hazratbal has a long history of the interplay of faith and politics. It has been a major centre of the faith of Kashmir's Muslims since the year 1700 CE. It has simultaneously been a major platform of Kashmir's political movement since 1931. Most of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's…

— Ahmed Ali Fayyaz (@ahmedalifayyaz) September 6, 2025

Those who dared to break the Emblem & scream “NIZAMA MUSTAFA” must know this is India, not a madrasa of fanatic rule. Our land runs on the Constitution, not religious dictatorship. Craving that system ? Pack your bags for Pakistan, Iran or Saudi NOT here!
Such acts are Deshdro! pic.twitter.com/rdlpY19LKo

— Kamran Ali Mir (@kamranalimir) September 6, 2025

Here is another post from a Kashmiri woman:

Our emblem stands tall and strong because of those who bled for it. Do not let it be disgraced by hatred-fed ideologies that thrive on the same emblem’s wealth while building their sacred walls, claiming an attack on faith.#JaiHind 🇮🇳 #JaiBharat
Our Emblem, Our Pride! pic.twitter.com/RvcezLF2hD

— Farhat Naaz (@FarhatNaaz_25) September 6, 2025

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The police have filed an FIR in the case of vandalism and are investigating the matter. BJP leaders have demanded arrest of those who desacrated the national emblem.