Kashmir, a Muslim majority region in a Hindu majority country, has long faced polarization at the hands of religious heads, political leaders, separatists, and Pakistan. The religion card has always been an easy tool for exploitation in the valley, repeatedly used by foreign agents to destabilize and divide the region whenever it suited their interests. During the peak of terrorism, the slogan “Pakistan se Rishta kya la ilaha ha illallah,” meaning our relationship with Pakistan is based on the oneness of God, was frequently raised to manipulate gullible minds and strengthen separatist sentiments. This clearly signalled how religion was weaponized as a tool for extremism, destabilization, and polarization. Minor issues, whether political or religious, are often exploited by opportunists to spread their narrative of extremism and gain from public emotions.
One such incident occurred on 5 September 2025 in the Hazratbal area of Srinagar. The newly renovated and reconstructed Dargah Shrine became the centre of attention when news spread that a newly installed plaque bearing the Ashoka National Emblem had been damaged amid protests, causing emotions to run high. Supporters of the installation expressed a sense of national pride, while critics labelled it as insensitive to Islamic traditions. It is essential to note that the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar occupies a unique and revered place in the hearts of both locals and visitors. Housing what is believed to be a relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the shrine has for centuries remained a centre of devotion, a spiritual anchor, and a symbol of unity.
As soon as the news circulated in the public domain, opportunists wasted no time flooding social media with rhetorical criticism, citing a supposed insult to Islamic virtues, Tawheed, and monotheism. This narrative was misleading, as the administration promptly clarified its stance, stating that the national emblem had been placed purely for the purpose of national pride and heritage. The authorities explained that the emblem symbolizes the shrine’s standing as part of India’s cultural and historic landscape. To them, acknowledging a national identity alongside spiritual reverence is neither unusual nor contradictory. Similar emblems stand outside courts, universities, and even historic mosques elsewhere without causing offense, yet some individuals chose to exaggerate the issue to advance their vested interests by framing it as an attempt at blasphemy and polarization.
The Dargah Shrine has, over decades, often been used by political leaders for personal gain. Restoring its sanctity requires curbing such misuse. Darakhshan Andrabi, as Waqf Board Chairperson, one of her best decisions that was limiting the undue influence of the Abdullah family at the Dargah. Revoking privileges such as reserving the first prayer row for a particular political family should be the next step to fully return the shrine to its spiritual essence. It is telling that carrying currency notes bearing the same emblem or the presence of other artistic elements inside the shrine does not provoke outrage, because such outrage offers no political benefit, whereas placing the emblem at the entrance becomes a convenient trigger when it serves political leverage.
As a common Kashmiri Muslim, I did not find the Ashoka emblem hurtful to my faith. On the contrary, it evoked a sense of patriotism and pride. It was deeply disturbing to witness visuals of the national emblem being vandalized in the name of Islam, particularly the sight of it being repeatedly struck with stones. Such acts of hooliganism deserve unequivocal condemnation. The perpetrators and those who engineered this reckless act must be brought before the law, as rightly reiterated by the Waqf Chairperson during her post-incident press conference. Even if, for the sake of argument, one assumes that certain individuals felt their sentiments were hurt, vandalizing a symbol of national pride should never be the way to express disagreement. Dialogue and respectful engagement would have preserved the sanctity of both the shrine and the emblem in a dignified manner.
I, along with many other local Muslims, firmly believe that the presence of the national emblem does not contradict Islamic principles or values. It was never intended to insult or undermine religious sentiments, as clarified by the government. The emblem, far from being a provocation, should be seen as a bridge between faith and national identity, reflecting that reverence for religion and pride in the country can coexist harmoniously in the valley. In this regard, I tried to talk we a few local and common people. Here is what they had to say.

Ali Zaroon Writer and Civil Service Aspirant

As a 23-year-old Kashmiri Muslim, I have witnessed countless times how leaders of all backgrounds create narratives out of nothing for personal gain, often using the Dargah shrine as a tool. This incident is no different. When I saw the inaugural clip of the renovated Dargah, the sight of the national emblem at the entrance did not hurt me as a Muslim. Rather, it filled me with pride to see my faith and my country’s national identity side by side, something unimaginable during the days of terrorism and Pakistan-centric politics. It is common practice here for leaders to politicize religion, but that must stop immediately. National symbols deserve full respect.

Sarmad Hilal a Student and a Writer

Throughout my life, I have seen how opportunistic we have become as a society, often dragging religion and religious places into politics for unfair gains. The recent Dargah incident is a larger picture of that. For decades, religion has been politicized in Kashmir, and sadly, this continues. Leaders who present such incidents as sacrilegious must stop and instead work for unity and well-being. Such acts harm national integrity and widen the gap between faith and country. Those who perpetuate these narratives must face condemnation and the law.

Syed Showkat A Prolific Columnist

As a Kashmiri, I have always observed how politics and religion are deliberately mixed by those who benefit the most. Today’s uproar over “disrespecting Islam and Tawheed” is unnecessary. The emblem by no means hurts religious sentiments. If anything, it exposes the false narratives of leaders who try to distance Kashmiris from national identity under the pretext of faith. Those responsible for inciting this should face legal action and apologize publicly for disturbing peace. The emblem was placed to reflect cultural heritage, yet miscreants exploited it to polarize society. Such people must be condemned and dealt with firmly.
Hajra Bano, An Author
As a poet, I have always imagined Kashmir draped in beauty and spirituality. But I have also been forced to witness dirty politics where religion is misused for personal gain. The Hazratbal incident is yet another example of this. Leaders who stoop so low as to exploit religion do not deserve public space but confinement. The national emblem poses no threat to Islam. Its politicization is driven purely by opportunism. Those who vandalized it committed an anti-national act and must face strict punishment.

Firdous Pandit A Motivational Speaker

Growing up in the 1990s, I have seen turmoil consume Kashmir. In recent years, peace has returned, but some elements remain unhappy with stability. Statements that fuel polarization only serve Pakistan, which has a long history of using religion to incite extremism in Kashmir. Leaders who echo such rhetoric speak for Pakistan, not Kashmir. The emblem at Hazratbal is not blasphemy. It represents national belonging. Those who used it to create unrest should face the harshest legal consequences.

Shafiya Wani An English Literature Student

With my understanding of Quran and Tawheed, and as a patriotic Indian Kashmiri Muslim, I found the Dargah incident personally shameful. Islam promotes loyalty to one’s country, yet opportunists twist religion to distance people from India. If the emblem bothers them, it only reveals hypocrisy. Their amplification of this issue shows how low politics can fall. Thankfully, ordinary Kashmiris did not respond to their call this time. That itself is a message that their old tactics no longer work.

Syed Jahanzeb A Geo-Political Analyst

The controversy over the emblem has been blown out of proportion. The Ashoka Lion Capital is not sectarian; it symbolizes justice, courage, and unity, values fully compatible with Islam. Pakistan thrives on projecting routine actions as assaults on Islam to fuel its propaganda. Local leaders then amplify this for political gain. Every outrage cycle weakens Kashmir’s social fabric and benefits Islamabad. The emblem should instead be seen as a symbol that faith and national identity coexist with dignity.

Mir Shahid Ul Islam A Student of Politics and Writer

As a student of politics, I understand how easily religion can be politicized. Across India, shrines, temples, gurdwaras, and mosques proudly display national symbols. The emblem at Hazratbal is no different. It was never intended to hurt anyone but to represent unity and heritage. Portraying it as an attack on Islam erases shared history and fuels division. Leaders who exploit such incidents for selfish goals deserve legal punishment.
In conclusion, it is evident that mixing politics with religion has long been a tactic for certain local leaders to exploit and mislead the public. The recent Dargah incident reflects this same pattern, while our hostile neighbour Pakistan eagerly looks for such opportunities to spread hatred, fuel religious extremism, destabilize the region, and derail efforts for peace and prosperity. The national emblem was never meant to hurt religious sentiments; it was intended to symbolize unity, heritage, and shared identity. Yet some have twisted its presence into a point of discord. Those who seek to divide society or vandalize symbols of harmony must face the law, and communities must remain vigilant against narratives that threaten peace. May wisdom prevail, ensuring that our faith and our nation coexist with dignity and mutual respect.

Email:--------------------------soulofkashmir1@gmail.com