Authorities have detained nearly 50 people for questioning after a national emblem plaque was defaced inside Srinagar’s revered Hazratbal shrine, triggering a political controversy that has divided local parties.
Mass Detentions Following Friday Incident
Police launched a major investigation after the national emblem plaque was vandalized and removed from inside the Hazratbal shrine following Friday prayers. The shrine, which houses a sacred relic of Prophet Muhammad, has become the center of intense political debate.
Different sources report varying numbers of detentions:
- PTI reports nearly 50 people detained
- National Conference claims 30 people
- BJP’s Altaf Thakur mentions 26 individuals
A senior police officer confirmed that while no formal arrests have been made, several people are being questioned. Authorities have made it clear that women allegedly involved will face legal action, but minors will be spared prosecution.
Investigation Methods and Security Measures
Police have been examining phone videos and CCTV footage to identify those responsible for the vandalism. Security around the historic shrine has been significantly tightened following the incident, with no fresh disturbances reported since Friday.
The authorities registered an open FIR as investigations continue into what has become a sensitive religious and political matter.
Political Parties Clash Over Response
National Conference Criticizes Heavy-Handed Approach
National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi strongly condemned the mass detentions, calling them “operational retribution.” He warned against misrepresenting what he described as “an expression of collective hurt as anti-national.”
NC president Farooq Abdullah criticized the original decision to install the plaque, stating there was no need for it at the shrine. “When the Hazratbal shrine was constructed, no board was placed there because it was dedicated to Allah and His Prophet,” he explained.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested that the Waqf Board should apologize, arguing that national emblems belong in government offices, not in mosques.
Opposition Demands Action Against Officials
Several opposition parties, including PDP, CPM, and Peoples Conference, have demanded action against Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi. Andrabi, a BJP appointee, had overseen the plaque’s installation on Thursday as part of what she called remodeling on Turkish lines.
Opposition politicians labeled the plaque installation as “provocative” and “blasphemous,” arguing that such symbols are forbidden inside mosques according to Islamic traditions.
BJP Defends Installation Decision
The BJP has taken a strong stance defending the plaque installation. Party spokesperson Altaf Thakur called the vandalism “an act of terrorism” and accused the National Conference of exploiting the situation to create unrest in Kashmir Valley.
“Andrabi had every right to place the emblem. NC doesn’t like her and is using the emblem to create unrest,” Thakur stated. The party has characterized the incident as an attempt to revive terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Calls for Strict Action
Darakhshan Andrabi has demanded that those responsible for vandalizing the plaque be prosecuted under the Public Safety Act, indicating the administration may take a tough stance on the matter.
Religious Sensitivity at the Heart of Controversy
The Hazratbal shrine holds special significance for Kashmir’s Muslim population as it houses what is believed to be a hair of Prophet Muhammad. The installation of a national emblem inside the shrine has raised questions about the balance between national symbols and religious sentiments.
This incident highlights the delicate nature of religious-political issues in Kashmir, where any action can quickly escalate into broader controversies involving multiple stakeholders.
The situation continues to develop as authorities work to maintain peace while addressing the concerns of various political parties and religious communities.
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