Ashoka Pillar Vandalized at Hazratbal Dargah Sparks Outrage: Waqf Chairperson Labels Attackers ‘Terrorists’

Ashoka Pillar Vandalized: A viral video from Srinagar’s Hazratbal Dargah shows a mob vandalizing the Ashoka Pillar installed after renovation. Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi condemns the act, calling it a terrorist-level offense, and demands swift arrests. Political and religious tensions escalate.

Ashoka Pillar vandalized

In a shocking incident that has stirred national debate, the Ashoka Pillar installed at Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar was vandalized by a mob during Eid-e-Milad celebrations. The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, condemned the act as “a terrorist-level offense,” stating that the destruction of the national symbol was not only an insult to the Dargah but also to the sentiments of the Muslim community.

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The emblem, carved on a stone plaque and inaugurated by Dr. Andrabi on September 3, was reportedly targeted by individuals who claimed that no statue or symbol should be placed inside a mosque. Despite efforts by the mosque administration to control the crowd, the mob overpowered security and shattered the Ashoka emblem, which also bore Andrabi’s name.

A video of the incident went viral across social media platforms, showing individuals smashing the symbol with stones.

Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi’s statement

In a press conference held at the Dargah premises, Andrabi expressed emotional distress, saying, “When I saw the symbol being destroyed, it felt as if a cloud had burst on me.”

She alleged that the chaos was orchestrated by political party supporters and warned that those responsible would face lifetime bans from entering the Dargah and criminal charges under FIRs. The Dargah administrator was also reportedly attacked during the unrest.

Hazratbal Dargah controversy

The controversy deepened when National Conference leader Tanveer Sadiq criticized the installation of the Ashoka Pillar, claiming it contradicts Islamic principles of Tauheed. In a post on X, Sadiq argued that placing such symbols inside religious spaces amounts to idol worship, which Islam strictly prohibits.

Dr. Andrabi defended the renovation project, emphasizing that its purpose was to enhance the sanctity and public faith in Hazratbal. “Dargahs are places of worship and respect. No one will be allowed to politicize them,” she asserted.

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This incident has ignited a broader debate on the intersection of national identity, religious beliefs, and political influence in Kashmir. As investigations begin, the nation watches closely.