ISSI - Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad

10/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2025 08:09

Issue Brief on “The Ashoka Emblem In Hazratbal Shrine : Another Attempt of Erasing...

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In September 2025, the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) once again found itself at the center of a storm. This time, a plaque that was placed inside the revered Hazratbal shrine following redevelopment and renovation with an 'Ashoka' emblem resulted in anger and fury of the people living under illegal Indian occupation.

On September 3, 2025, Chairman (Indian Occupied) Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Dr. Darakshan Andrabi inaugurated the newly renovated Hazratbal Shrine.[1] To the horror of Muslims of the region, the plaque also contained the Ashoka emblem.[2] Since Hazratbal holds a relic - the Moi-e-Muqqadas - or a strand from the beard of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it holds a special place in the hearts of the Kashmiri people. For them, placing the Ashoka emblem amounted to 'blasphemy'.

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ISSI - Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad published this content on October 08, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 08, 2025 at 14:09 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]