Explained: The furore at Kashmir’s Hazratbal shrine reflects a deeper anxiety

On Friday, worshippers at Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine smashed a newly installed plaque. They were purportedly angry at the fact that the national emblem of India had been carved into a corner of the plaque.

The emblem is drawn from the Lion Capital of Ashoka, a 3rd century sculpture from Sarnath that features four lions and a frieze of other animals. Islam prohibits idol worship, and the presence of human or animal figures or sculptures at religious places is frowned upon.

The plaque was recently installed by the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board after a round of renovation work at Kashmir’s most revered shrine.

The board is headed by a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Darakshan Andrabi, whose tenure has been controversial.

As videos of worshippers smashing the plaque went viral, Andrabi accused the ruling National Conference of instigating people. She sought police action against those who vandalised the plaque.

“We do not have militants coming in from across the border. They are terrorists,” Andrabi said at a press conference. “They should be booked under the Public Safety Act.”

The Srinagar police registered a first information report into the incident. Reports say that more than 50 people have been detained. But the Jammu and Kashmir police, which comes under the jurisdiction of Bharatiya-Janata Party-led...

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