Police refusing to lodge FIR against Waqf Board chief in plaque row: PDP

AdfAs the controversy surrounding the installation of a plaque bearing the national emblem at the revered Hazratbal shrine continues to escalate in the Kashmir Valley, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday accused the Jammu and Kashmir Police of refusing to register a case against J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti stated that an attempt was made to lodge an FIR at the Nigeen Police Station in Srinagar, but police allegedly declined to register the case.

“After being denied to file an FIR against Chairperson Waqf Board in Nigheen Police Station PDP will now approach Hazratbal Police Station. I urge @JmuKmrPolice to initiate an FIR immediately given the gravity of the offence - deliberately hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims thereby provoking them,” she said in her post on X. The J&K Police has not issued any official statement in response to Mehbooba’s claims.

The controversy erupted last week following the protests which broke out inside the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, where devotees removed the Ashoka emblem engraved on an inauguration plaque. The plaque had been installed during the inauguration of upgraded facilities at the shrine. Political and religious leaders across Jammu and Kashmir condemned the installation of the plaque and demanded an apology from Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi for hurting the “religious sentiments” of Muslims.

Authorities have since detained over 30 individuals in connection with the incident.

Later, PDP leader Iltija Mufti told reporters that the police had shown “no positive response” regarding the matter and that the party would now approach the court for redressal.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, reacting to the controversy, stated on Saturday that the Waqf Board should apologise for what he termed a “mistake.” He argued that the national emblem is meant for government offices and functions, not religious institutions.

On Monday, National Conference chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq echoed similar sentiments. “The courts have made it clear that misuse of the national emblem warrants legal action. So, I believe there should be action against the Waqf Chairperson first,” he said.

Commenting on the detentions, Sadiq added, “Instead of slapping FIRs and intimidating devotees with the Public Safety Act, the administration should have engaged them in dialogue. This heavy-handed approach is unjustified.”

He further stated that if the police continue to ignore the complaint against Andrabi, the National Conference will file a formal complaint itself.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the BJP, which has publicly supported Andrabi, issued a controversial warning, saying that homes of those accused in the Hazratbal incident may be bulldozed—drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties.