Mufti demands legal action over use of National emblem inside Hazratbal

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Sept 6: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today demanded legal action over the use of the National Emblem inside the Hazratbal shrine.

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Addressing a press conference here, Mufti termed it an act that has “hurt” the religious sentiments of people, stressing that “heads should roll” from top to bottom in the Waqf Board.
She invoked Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and urged authorities to book the Waqf Board Chairperson and members for permitting the plaque carrying the symbol.
“Hazratbal is a sacred place, not a venue for coronation or political symbolism. Instead of taking action against those who defaced the emblem out of religious sentiment, the Government should register an FIR against the Waqf Board,” she said.
Mufti criticised Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi for demanding the Public Safety Act (PSA) against locals who damaged the plaque.
“Calling the Home Minister to slap PSA on the people is unacceptable. The real issue is who allowed the emblem to be installed in a shrine where there is no concept of idol worship,” she said.
She argued that while successive Governments had contributed to Hazratbal’s development, none had indulged in what she called “unislamic practices.”
She also said that during her tenure, the Waqf Board was never politicised.
“We appointed people who had nothing to do with our party. Today, unfortunately, interference in religious affairs has reached even the Dargah,” she said.
“The inauguration did not appear like a religious ceremony; that was not a BJP function. Unfortunately, the sanctity of Hazratbal was compromised in this manner.”
The PDP chief alleged that the act of using the emblem amounted to “blasphemy.”
“Heads should roll and those who permitted it must be held responsible; all those handling the affairs of Waqf are Muslims,” she said.
Urging people to exercise restraint, Mufti warned against giving authorities an excuse to “jail them.”
“This incident has tested people’s patience and disturbed emotions. Our religion is against idol worship, and what happened is deeply offensive to our faith,” she added.

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