J&K Police Detains 26 People After National Emblem Vandalised At Hazratbal Shrine In Sringar

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday (6 September) detained 26 people for vandalising the national emblem on a renovation plaque at Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine, reported India Today.

The police reportedly reviewed CCTV footage that clearly captured the suspects defacing the symbol before taking them into custody for further investigation.

The incident occurred on Friday (5 September) at the shrine, which is home to a relic of Prophet Muhammad.

The emblem’s placement triggered outrage among local leaders and worshippers, who argued that installing a sculpted figure at a mosque violates Islamic principles that prohibit idol worship.

Political parties quickly weighed in. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) both questioned why the emblem had been placed at a religious site.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti accused Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi of hurting religious sentiments, saying: “Hazratbal is connected to our Prophet Muhammad and any sort of blasphemy is not acceptable to Muslims. If you do any sort of thing at that place that is unacceptable and considered blasphemy for Muslims, then it is not okay. This is not against the emblem, but as our religion is against idol worship, and this act was against that.”

NC leader and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also asked why the emblem was installed in the first place.

He added: “What was the need for an emblem and the stone in the first place? Wasn’t the work already sufficient?”

Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the vandalism, saying he was “deeply anguished".

Andrabi, meanwhile, demanded strict legal action, insisting those responsible aimed to disturb public order and must be treated as lawbreakers.

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