Can NC’s emblem ‘activism’ plunge Kashmir into turmoil again?

New Delhi, Sep 7 (NationPress) The savage stone assault on India's national emblem at Kashmir's sacred dargah has left the nation reeling. Is the national emblem tied to any religion? This troubling question, which has rarely been posed since India became a Republic, has now emerged as a pressing issue in the 79th year of Independence.

The emblem, officially adopted on January 26, 1950, presents four lions standing back-to-back on a circular base, with a Dharma Chakra at its center. The base features sculptures of an elephant, horse, bull, and lion, separated by Dharma Chakras, while the motto 'Satyameva Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs)' is inscribed below. Where does religion fit into this? Do not all faiths assert that truth ultimately prevails?

The incident that occurred in Kashmir on September 5 transcends mere religious discord -- it exemplifies a deep-rooted issue that periodically resurfaces, fueled by malevolent forces supported by Pakistan and certain local factions in Kashmir. Some disguise their intentions as religious, social, or political activism, while others hold leadership positions.

The national emblem had been engraved on a plaque outside the main prayer hall of the shrine, which had undergone renovations for several months. It was reopened to the public after a ceremonial inauguration led by Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board. Crowds flocked to the revitalized shrine, admiring its new look.

In addition to traditional craftsmanship, the shrine now features a modern digital electrical network, central air-conditioning, and advanced audio and surveillance systems. This transformation marks the first significant interior upgrade since 1968, merging contemporary elements with Kashmir's cultural heritage.

Everything seemed well, with congratulatory messages flooding in -- until Friday, when a group vandalized the emblem while chanting religious slogans, many recording the act.

Shortly thereafter, NC Chief Spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq took to social media: "I'm not a religious scholar, but in Islam, idol worship is strictly forbidden -- considered a grave sin. The foundation of our faith is Tawheed. Placing a sculpted figure at the venerated Hazratbal Dargah contradicts this belief. Sacred spaces should mirror only the purity of Tawheed, nothing more."

This quick response, which touched on religious sensitivities, inevitably ignited emotions. The Waqf Board chief condemned the act and blamed the NC MLA, calling for a formal complaint against Sadiq and asserting that those responsible should be treated as militants.

The ruling NC also issued a statement echoing Sadiq's claims of religious violations: "...It is a matter of grave concern that practices contrary to the fundamental principles of Islam, such as the introduction of pictorial or symbolic representations of living beings, are being brought into the sacred Hazratbal shrine -- the spiritual core of our people where thousands gather daily for prayers. In Islam, the principle of Tawheed clearly prohibits such representations. For worshippers, this is not a trivial matter but a direct affront to their deeply held religious beliefs."

The NC further criticized the Waqf chief: "The Waqf is not the personal property of any individual… We now observe an unelected figure, lacking a mandate from the people of Jammu and Kashmir, assuming authority inside holy shrines..."

This signals that the NC aims to exert influence over the Waqf Board's management while instilling fear among Muslims in the Valley.

This isn't the first instance of the NC transforming trivial issues into political waves to ride. History is rife with examples where the party has exploited India–Pakistan dynamics to maintain its grip on power. From its founder, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, to Farooq Abdullah and now Omar Abdullah, decades of such politics have kept Kashmir in turmoil, preventing it from stabilizing.

In 1947, Sheikh Abdullah allied with India after failing to reach an agreement with Jinnah. However, instead of pursuing full integration, he leaned towards establishing J&K as a quasi-independent state. In 1958, he initiated the Plebiscite Front, led by his aide Mirza Afzal Beg, which traversed villages inciting passions for an independent J&K, sowing the seeds of separatism.

That seed sprouted into a tree in the late 1980s when Farooq Abdullah served as Chief Minister. During his term, terrorism took root, and Kashmiri Hindus -- approximately 700,000 at the time, making up less than two percent of the population -- were forcibly expelled following violence and threats.

Now, thirty-five years later, and six years post the abrogation of Article 370, the NC appears to be once again manipulating religious sentiments. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did not condemn the vandalism but questioned the use of the emblem on the mosque board.

The valley remains in a delicate state following the horrific Pahalgam attack, and the vandalism of the national emblem serves as a grim reminder that much remains concealed in Kashmir. Had the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits been thoroughly investigated, numerous prominent figures might have been implicated.

The reality is: every nation, including Muslim-majority ones, possesses its own national emblem, yet none ascribes a religious interpretation to it -- let alone defiles it. Why then was the emblem vandalized in a Kashmiri shrine? Why was it given a religious connotation? This seems to be a calculated attempt to disrupt Kashmir's fragile peace.

Pakistan suffered a significant defeat in Operation Sindoor and is now attempting to reignite tensions through elements in Kashmir, leveraging religion as a tool. The NC's politics could once again facilitate this.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)