The controversy over the National Emblem plaque at Hazratbal has once again highlighted how sacred spaces in Kashmir are being dragged into unnecessary political battles. On Friday, after prayers, a mob vandalised the inauguration stone carrying the Ashoka Emblem, installed by the J&K Waqf Board. The incident, unlawful in nature, was quickly politicised, with attempts to portray the emblem’s placement as “anti-Muslim.”
The fact remains that national symbols and sacred spaces co-exist across the world, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. Mosques in Indonesia and Malaysia routinely host flag-hoisting ceremonies. Kazakhstan has integrated national design patterns into mosque architecture, while Saudi Arabia enforces strict respect for its flag and national day observances even in religious precincts. Faith and civic symbolism are not contradictory but complementary in these societies.
The Hazratbal incident therefore cannot be seen as an act of faith but as a calculated attempt to politicise religion. The vandalism of a national emblem is not an expression of devotion but a violation of law. India regulates the use of the National Emblem under statute, and any concerns regarding its placement should have been addressed institutionally through due process, not by damaging property.
What stands out in this controversy is the attempt to target the Waqf Board and its chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi. In recent years, the Board has introduced reforms and streamlined the management of shrines, often disrupting entrenched interests. The sudden outcry over the emblem suggests less a matter of religious sentiment and more an organised political campaign to weaken the credibility of the institution.
The Islamic ethic is clear: civic order, law, and respect for authority are integral to social morality. Symbols of state are not in conflict with symbols of faith, but their coexistence represents discipline, dignity, and harmony. The world accepts this balance as normal practice, and Kashmir must not allow itself to be misled into believing otherwise.
The Hazratbal vandalism marks a disturbing departure, where unlawful acts are cloaked as religious duty. The real need of the hour is calm, clarity, and confidence in institutions. Protecting shrines means protecting them from politics as much as from physical harm. The Waqf Board’s work deserves support, not sabotage.
