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The vandalism of the Ashoka Emblem at Srinagar’s Hazratbal Shrine on September 5, 2025, was not an act of faith, it was an act of disrespect. Disrespect to a national symbol, disrespect to a sacred shrine, and disrespect to the very principles of Islam which call for justice, dignity, and peace. By tearing down a symbol of unity under the guise of religion, the protesters not only insulted their country but also misrepresented their faith, turning a holy occasion into a spectacle of division.
On September 5, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded at the revered Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar during the celebrations of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. A newly installed Ashoka Emblem, placed on an inauguration plaque after the renovation of the shrine’s interior, was vandalized by a group of protesters. They cited religious objections, claiming that the national symbol was inappropriate inside a place of worship. In addition to shocking the locals, the incident spurred a national discussion about the precarious equilibrium between politics, religion, and national identity.
Widespread condemnation was given to the vandalism, which Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi described it as a purposeful attempt to erode harmony and erode devotion. But as the dust settles, one must ask: was this act of vandalism necessary? The answer is simple, NO. The Ashoka Emblem, which features four lions and the Dharma Chakra (wheel of law), is India’s national symbol. It is not an idol of worship but a representation of justice, righteousness, peace, and the rule of law. It was adopted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath in 1950, symbolizing India’s moral foundation. For those who objected on religious grounds, it is important to recognize that Islam prohibits idol worship (shirk); however, the Ashoka Emblem is not an idol, it is a state emblem, akin to a flag, seal, or coin that represents national identity rather than religious devotion. Countries in the Muslim world proudly display symbols like eagles, stars, or crests, but they never treat them like idols. Like the Dharma Chakra in the emblem, which is not an object of worship, it is a symbol of the eternal cycle of justice and righteousness, which Islam strongly supports. The Qur’an tells Muslims over and over again to be fair and just (Adl), which means that the values behind the emblem are in line with Islamic teachings, not against them. So, saying that the emblem is like idol worship is not a correct interpretation of Islam. It is not the same to respect a national symbol as it is to worship it. In Islam, it is also seen as a noble duty to respect one’s homeland. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) showed how much he loved Makkah by saying that loving and respecting your land is part of faith.
The Hazratbal Shrine is one of the holiest sites in Kashmir, housing the relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is a place meant for prayer, reflection, and unity. By vandalizing the emblem, protesters not only disrespected the national symbol but also disrupted the sanctity of the shrine. They didn’t try to talk about or represent their objections; instead, they did something that caused division and made religion political. Chanting inappropriate slogans inside a holy shrine was even more disrespectful to the holy space. Mosques and shrines in Islam are places to remember Allah, not to make political or provocative statements.
The Qur’an warns against disturbing the sanctity of places of worship: “And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction?” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:114). Thus, the act of vandalism was not only against the nation but also against the teachings of Islam itself. Amid the controversy, one cleric made an unfortunate remark targeting Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, dismissing her stance by saying that she is “a woman.” Such a statement not only undermines women but also misrepresents Islam’s position on gender. Islam actually accords women a great deal of dignity and respect, as the Qur’an states, and history itself attests to this. The Prophet’s wife, Khadijah (RA), was a prosperous businesswoman; Aisha (RA) was a brilliant scholar and hadith teacher; and Nusaybah bint Ka’ab bravely and successfully defended the Prophet in battle, demonstrating the strength of women in leadership roles. In Islam, leadership is based on justice, ability, and sincerity rather than being limited to men. Because the Prophet stated, “The best of you are those who are best to their women,” it is not only a personal insult but also a contradiction of his teachings to dismiss Dr. Andrabi simply because she is a woman. Therefore, any effort to silence or disparage women by using gender as a tool is disrespectful and unjust. The Hazratbal incident highlights another dangerous trend, merging religion with politics. Tanvir Sadiq justified the demonstration by saying that the Ashoka Emblem’s installation went against core Islamic principles, saying that “Idol worship is strictly forbidden in Islam, placing a sculpted figure at the revered Hazratbal Dargah goes against Tawheed.” Such logic, however, betrays a more serious issue: the perilous blending of politics and religion. By fusing political objectives with religious feelings, demonstrators stoked ire, caused confusion, and transformed a holy event into a contentious show.
Islam itself teaches that religion is about worship, morality, and justice, while politics is a worldly matter of governance; when the two are improperly intertwined, religion is reduced to a tool for provocation rather than a source of peace. A shrine as holy as Hazratbal should never become a stage for political theater, for misusing religion to attack national symbols only alienates communities, disrespects faith, and breeds unnecessary strife. Even if there was a sense of misunderstanding or genuine discomfort among some who felt that placing the Ashoka Emblem within the shrine was inappropriate or disrespectful, the response should have been rooted in dialogue and dignity, not destruction. In a civilized society, grievances are best expressed through respectful discussion, formal appeals, and representation, not through vandalism or provocation. By choosing aggression over dialogue, the protesters not only weakened the strength of their argument but also misrepresented their community, when they could have instead demonstrated care, patience, and responsibility in preserving the sanctity of such a revered place. Ultimately, the Hazratbal incident was not merely about an emblem on a plaque, it was about how we, as a society, choose to handle differences and represent our faith, our nation, and ourselves. Vandalism and provocative slogans only bring dishonor to a sacred place and distort the true spirit of devotion. Respecting the Ashoka Emblem is not idol worship but an acknowledgment of justice and unity, values that strengthen rather than weaken faith. Likewise, respecting women leaders and allowing them to speak and act with authority is not a threat to tradition but a fulfillment of dignity and equality. Religion must never be misused as a weapon for politics, nor should politics invade the sanctity of worship. If we are to move forward as a community and as a nation, we must learn to separate faith from provocation, protect the dignity of our shrines, respect the symbols of our country, and honor the voices of women. Only then can we preserve harmony, uphold justice, and ensure that both our religion and our nation are represented with the reverence they truly deserve.
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