• Source:JND
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National Emblem At Mosque Row: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday defended the protest that led to damaging the plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem placed inside the Hazratbal mosque in Srinagar, saying the symbol is meant for government functions and not religious institutions.

Criticising the use of the national emblem on a renovation plaque by the Waqf Board at Srinagar's Hazratbal mosque, the chief minister asserted that the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board should apologise for the "mistake" that has hurt religious sentiments. Abdullah was speaking to reporters during his visit to the flood-affected areas in south Kashmir.

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The top mosque in the city witnessed a protest when hundreds of women and men gathered at the revered shrine, sloganeering against the authorities. The demonstration took an ugly turn when protesters picked up bricks and damaged the plaque. However, the police personnel reached there on time and vacated the mosque. The former chief minister and National Conference chief, Farooq Abdullah also arrived there to pacyfiy the protesters.

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Later on Saturday, the Srinagar Police lodged a case on charges of breach of peace, rioting and criminal conspiracy against unidentified persons in connection with the incident.

"First, the question arises whether the national emblem should have been used on this stone or not. I have never seen an emblem being used in this way in any religious place," Abdullah told reporters while visiting flood-affected areas. "Mosques, shrines, temples and gurdwaras are not government institutions. These are religious institutions and government emblems are not used in religious institutions," he said.

(With PTI inputs)