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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday criticised the use of the national emblem on a renovation plaque by the Waqf Board at Srinagar’s Hazratbal mosque, asserting that the symbol is meant for government functions and not religious institutions. The CM also demanded removal of Waqf Board Chairperson Daraksha Andrabi  besides seeking leagl action against her.

 

Abdullah, who was touring the flood-affected areas in south Kashmir, said the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board should apologise for the “mistake” that has hurt religious sentiments.His comments follow a major controversy that erupted after the plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem was placed inside the revered Hazratbal shrine and vandalised by unidentified people shortly after prayers on Friday.

“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 while visiting flood-affected areas here.“Mosques, shrines, temples and gurdwaras are not government institutions. These are religious institutions and government emblems are not used in religious institutions,” he said.The controversy escalated 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.

 

Abdullah condemned 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,” the CM said.Abdullah also questioned the necessity of the plaque itself, noting that National Conference (NC) founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah completed work on the shrine without seeking any credit.

 

“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 said.He said that nowhere in the country is the national emblem used on any religious place. “Google search and you will find that the national emblem is only used in government functions,” he said.