J&K parties seek removal of Waqf chairperson Darakshan Andrabi over ‘National Emblem plaque’ row

J&K parties, including the ruling National Conference (NC) and the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday (September 6, 2025) sought action against J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi for “hurting sentiments of Muslims” by placing the National Emblem inside the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. Meanwhile, the BJP and Shiv Sena sought action against those involved in vandalism.

The J&K Police has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) into the incident where worshippers were seen removing the National Emblem from the plaque with a stone on Friday. The police, however, remained silent on whether they were invoking sections to look into both the aspect of vandalism and hurting religious sentiments. The controversial plaque installed after the recent renovation of the main prayer hall also had the names of Ms. Andrabi, member Ghulam Nabi Haleem, Board tehsildar Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din and engineer Syed Ghulam Murtaza. 

Speaking in south Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought an apology from Ms. Andrabi for “hurting sentiments of people”. “National Emblems belong in offices and official functions and not in the places of worship. If a mistake was made, it should be admitted and apologised for. There was no need to have a plaque at the shrine. The current structure was made by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah (NC founder) but he never put up a nameplate,” he said.

The NC planned to approach the Speaker of the J&K Assembly to set up a House Committee. “The House Committee would look into the embezzlement and misappropriation of funds by the Board,” NC leader and former Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi said.

Over a dozen NC legislators held a press conference at the party headquarters and sought the removal of Ms. Andrabi from the post. “It was a deliberate provocation as elections are due in Bihar. We will not allow it to become fodder for elections. We appeal to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to remove Ms. Andrabi. The elected government and the Cabinet should propose the name for the chairperson’s post; someone who is sensitive to local sensibilities,” NC leader and MLA Salman Sagar said.

MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the protests at the shrine were spontaneous. “Violence should not have happened. The Board’s move has hurt religious sentiments. Emblem is used nowhere at any religious place. We condemn Ms. Andrabi threatening people with FIRs and PSA. It’s unfortunate to describe all Kashmiris as terrorists. We expect the police to take action against Ms. Andrabi and her name should figure in the FIR,” he said.

Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also sought action against Ms. Andrabi and the Board officials for “putting up National Emblem inside the shrine”. “Instead of taking action against those who defaced the emblem out of religious sentiment, the government should lodge an FIR against the Waqf Board chairperson and members who allowed such a blasphemous act,” she said. 

The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a conglomerate headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said Hazratbal was not merely a structure but a spiritual heart of the Muslims of J&K. “Any alteration that undermines its sanctity deeply pains the devotional sentiments attached to it. Islam is explicit in its teachings: no plaques, emblems, figures, or symbols are permitted in mosques or shrines. To introduce them now sets a dangerous and unnecessary precedent.” 

The MMU said the reaction of the people “reflected their sincere religious concern”. “Filing FIRs against worshippers is unjustified and unwarranted. Matters of religion must be resolved with understanding and dialogue, not with harsh punitive measures,” it said. The MMU demanded the immediate removal of the plaque from the Hazratbal shrine. 

CPI(M) leader and MLA M.Y. Tarigami also sought action against Ms. Andrabi. “Actions that hurt people’s emotions are provocative, not in the nation’s interest. There was no need to put the Emblem at the shrine. Those in authority should understand that there is a law which punishes those who hurt the religious sentiments of the people. Those in power must apologise instead of using FIRs, pressure or jails,” he said.

Meanwhile, supporters of Shiv Sena and the BJP held protests against those who indulged in vandalism of the plaque with the National Emblem engraved on it. “We wouldn’t allow the breaking of our National Emblem. It’s our identity. The Ashok Chakra is also on Hajj identification cards. If anyone had an issue with it, they could’ve reached out to the chairperson. This is an Osama bin Laden-style ideology from those who don’t want India’s national emblem to be installed here,” BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said.

He said the BJP wouldn’t tolerate such action. “It’s an act of terrorism. They want to repeat the 1990s and the terrorism in Hazratbal,” he said.

Sunil Sharma, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly, accused the NC of being a “semi-anti-national” party. “We condemn the act of vandalism. It is seditious and questions the NC’s patriotism.”