Shocking Attack on India’s National Emblem at Kashmir’s Hazratbal Shrine Sparks Outrage
In a disturbing turn of events, a group of vandals attacked India’s national emblem at the famous Hazratbal Dargah in Kashmir, leaving the entire nation stunned. This happened on September 5, just days ago, and it’s raising big questions about religion, politics, and peace in the region. As India marks its 79th year of Independence, one can’t help but wonder: does the national emblem even have a religion? It’s a symbol of unity for all Indians, no matter their faith.
Let’s break it down simply. The national emblem, adopted way back on January 26, 1950, shows four lions standing back-to-back on a circular base called an abacus. You’ll see carvings of an elephant, horse, bull, and lion around it, with a Dharma Chakra in the center. Right below, the motto "Satyameva Jayate" – meaning "Truth Alone Triumphs" – is inscribed. This design draws from ancient Indian art, but it’s all about national pride, not any specific religion. After all, don’t all religions teach that truth wins in the end?
The Hazratbal Dargah, a sacred Sufi shrine in Srinagar, had just undergone a massive renovation after months of work. Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, the Chairperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, inaugurated it with a big ceremony. People flocked to see the upgrades: stunning traditional artwork mixed with modern touches like central air-conditioning, a digital electrical system, top-notch sound setup, and even surveillance cameras. It was the first big makeover since 1968, blending Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage with today’s tech. Everyone was praising it – until that fateful Friday.
That’s when things turned ugly. A mob showed up, shouting religious slogans, and pelted stones at the national emblem plaque right outside the main prayer hall. Many even filmed the vandalism on their phones, making it go viral. The attack wasn’t just random; it felt like a targeted hit on a symbol of India’s sovereignty.
Right after, Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Spokesperson of the National Conference (NC) and a local MLA, jumped in with a social media post. He said, "I’m no religious expert, but Islam strictly forbids idol worship – it’s the biggest sin. Our faith is built on Tawheed, the oneness of God. Putting a sculpted figure at the holy Hazratbal Dargah goes against this. Sacred places should stay pure." His words hit hard on religious sensitivities and quickly stirred up emotions across the Valley.
Dr. Andrabi didn’t hold back. She slammed the vandalism and pointed fingers at Sadiq, demanding an FIR against him. She even called the attackers militants who deserve tough action. The NC, the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir, backed Sadiq up with their own statement. They called the emblem’s placement a "grave concern" because Islam’s Tawheed principle bans depictions of living beings in holy spots. They said it’s an "affront to devotees’ sentiments" and attacked Andrabi personally, saying the Waqf Board isn’t her "personal estate" and she’s acting without public mandate.
This whole drama smells like politics at play. The NC seems to be using religious sentiments to challenge the Waqf Board’s control and whip up fear among Muslims in Kashmir. It’s not the first time they’ve done this. The party has a long history of stirring up India-Pakistan tensions to stay in power. Back in 1947, founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah chose India over Pakistan but pushed for a semi-independent Jammu and Kashmir instead of full integration. By 1958, he started the Plebiscite Front, which fueled separatist ideas across villages.
Fast forward to the late 1980s, when Farooq Abdullah was Chief Minister. That’s when terrorism really took hold, leading to the exodus of around 7 lakh Kashmiri Pandits – that’s nearly the entire Hindu population at the time – due to targeted killings and threats. Today, under Omar Abdullah, the NC is at it again. He didn’t condemn the attack outright but questioned why the emblem was placed on the mosque’s plank. This comes right after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, keeping the Valley on edge just six years after Article 370’s abrogation.
Experts see this as more than a religious spat. It’s like an old wound reopening, possibly fueled by anti-India forces from Pakistan and local troublemakers hiding behind religious or political masks. Remember Operation Sindoor? Pakistan suffered a huge setback there, and now it looks like they’re trying to stir trouble in Kashmir by playing the religion card. Countries worldwide, even Muslim-majority ones like Saudi Arabia or Indonesia, proudly display their national emblems without giving them a religious twist. So why vandalize India’s in a shrine? It feels like a deliberate move to shatter Kashmir’s fragile peace.
The truth is, if we’d properly investigated the Kashmiri Pandit genocide back then, many big names might have been exposed. For now, authorities need to act fast to prevent this from escalating. Kashmir deserves stability, not more division. What do you think – is this just religion or something deeper? Stay tuned as we follow updates on the national emblem vandalism in Kashmir.
