Srinagar: The controversy over the alleged defacing of the national emblem at the revered Hazratbal shrine refuses to die down, with the ruling National Conference today demanding a police probe into the “misuse” of the emblem, terming it a “serious violation” punishable under law. NC chief spokesman and MLA Tanvir Sadiq also termed the registration of an FIR and purported detentions in connection with the Hazaratbal controversy as a “completely wrong” step, urging authorities to handle the matter with sensitivity rather than intimidation.
“We have already condemned the violence in Hazaratbal Dargah. Violence is no one’s answer; issues can be resolved in a better way,” Sadiq told reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of a function organised by the party to pay tributes to NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 43rd death anniversary. Since Friday, while J&K Police has remained silent on the FIR, the investigations, and purported detentions in the case, Srinagar Member Parliament and NC leader Aga Ruhulla yesterday claimed that around 30 people have been detained in this connection.
Sadiq maintained that the FIR should have been avoided. “It would have been by talking to people and asking them to rectify it. Intimidating them is wrong,” he said. Sadiq added that the people’s reaction at Hazratbal was “spontaneous” as their religious sentiments were hurt. The NC leader also pressed that police must probe whether the state emblem was misused and demanded action against Vice Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board Darakhshan Andrabi.
“Misuse is a big violation. Courts, including the Orissa court, have clearly held that anyone who misuses the emblem should be punished. I think there should be action against the VC Sahiba,” he said. Sadiq reiterated the party’s call for the constitution of a House Committee to probe alleged corruption in the J&K Waqf Board. On Friday, a group of men and women worshippers defaced the emblem sculpted on the inaugural plaque in the premises of the Hazratbal shrine the most revered shrine for Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir which houses the relic of Prophet Mohammad. The protestors raised slogans saying their religious sentiments had been hurt.
Reacting to the protests, Waqf vice chairperson Andrabi described the demonstrators as terrorists and demanded their arrest under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
