RUCKUS OVER BREAKING OF ASHOKA PILLAR

RUCKUS OVER BREAKING OF ASHOKA PILLAR

7-SEP-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-------------------------Union Minister Lallan Singh has warned of strict action on the incident of breaking the Ashoka Pillar at Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar. He said on Sunday that the Ashoka Pillar is a symbol of the country and whoever has broken it will be punished. He said these things while talking to reporters at Patna Airport. Actually, this incident happened on Friday, 5 September 2025, in which the video of breaking the Ashoka Pillar at Hazratbal Dargah is viral on social media. This dargah was recently renovated. The national emblem—Ashoka Pillar—was inscribed on the inauguration plaque. • It is reported that after the prayers, some fundamentalists broke and damaged the Ashoka Pillar with a stone, considering it an idol symbol. Video footage went viral on social media, which clearly showed the incident of stone breaking. Waqf Board Chairperson, Darakhshan Andrabi (BJP leader) called the incident "heartbreaking" and "an attack on the Constitution". She said, "This is not just a mark on a stone, it is a mark on my heart." She demanded FIR and legal action under PSA against the culprits.

National Conference MLA Tanveer Sadiq (Jadibal MLA) said that idolatry is strictly prohibited in Islam, and the presence of any idol or figure in a religious place is against Tahheed (monotheism). "I am not a religious scholar, but idolatry is a serious sin in Islam. Religious places should have only the sanctity of Tahheed." Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised the question as to why the national emblem was installed at a religious place. “Government symbols are not displayed in religious institutions—images are not displayed in mosques, dargahs, temples or gurudwaras.

After the incident, the police have registered an FIR in Nigin police station and registered a case under relevant sections. Under the 'Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971' and the Indian Penal Code, there is a provision of up to three years imprisonment, fine or both for insulting the national symbol. Now on this issue, Lallan Singh has talked about taking action against such elements.