In Hazratbal Dargah, the people agitated even insulted the national symbol Ashoka symbol.
A replica of the Ashoka sign was engraved on a plate of marble outside the prayer hall at Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar. Some people objected to this and described it against Islam. After this, the case caught fire and the agitated people even insulted the national symbol. It destroyed it, due to which tension arose there.
Only after this, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has questioned that what was the need to put the national symbol on the stone in the Hazratbal Dargah. He said that national symbols should not be imposed at religious places, because it hurts people’s feelings. He said that national symbols are used only in government events. Dargahs, mosques, temples and gurudwaras are not government, because they are religious places.
In such a situation, let us know how much punishment can be done for damaging the national symbol? What is the history of Hazratbal Dargah?
What is the whole matter?
Hazratbal Dargah has been renewed. For the first time here, the national emblem was engaged on the Ashoka Chakra on the marble plate. After this, it was recently opened by the Waqf Board. A large number of people reached there on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad. Then the plate with Ashoka Chakra was broken.
In the Hazratbal Dargah, strict action can be taken on insulting the national symbol. Its culprits can also be punished. In the case of insulting the national symbol in Hazratbal Dargah, the police have detained 26 people on the basis of CCTV footage. The police is doing further investigation in the case. With this, politics in Jammu and Kashmir has been hot.
National symbols were carved on stone in Hazratbal Dargah which was destroyed.
Should the national symbol be used at religious places or not?
One line is the answer, no. This should not be done. There is a clear provision in The State Empalm of India (Prohibition of Improver Use) Act, 2005. The Ashoka Pillar can only be used by the Indian government, the state government, and their authorized institutions.
It is a legal offense to use it without permission in religion, business logo, private organization or personal identity. If a religious place uses it on its building, then it will be considered a violation of the law. The misuse of Ashoka Pillar can lead to jail up to two years and a fine of up to five thousand rupees, and repeated violations can increase this punishment.
Similarly, Flag Code of India (2002, 2021 including Amendment) explains where, how and how the national flag can be installed. Public and private institutions, educational institutions, and common citizens can hoist the flag within all the rules. The flag should always be used while maintaining dignity, respect and integrity. Flag religious programs cannot be used within the place of worship or by laying on the earth. No type of use should be used in commercial purposes.
Article 25-28 of the Constitution gives freedom of religion, but also gives the state the responsibility of living separate from religion. Therefore, it is appropriate to use national symbols in free places from religious affiliation. This question is related to legal perspective, secularism and social harmony. India is a secular republic. The Constitution prevents the state from standing in favor or opposition of any religion. India’s national mark, national flag, national anthem represent the entire nation and all citizens, not of any particular religion. By using them at religious places, the message can be sent that the national symbols are connecting with a particular religious identity, which can be considered contrary to secular values.
The national symbol is used to show their unity and dignity in public, government and educational institutions. Religious places are associated with any one faith. If the national symbols are placed there, then their “universality” may be affected.
In a diverse country like India, if national symbols are installed on temples, mosques, churches or gurudwaras, then it can cause debate and controversy. Instead, it is more appropriate to use national symbols in public places like schools, Parliament House, Court, Government Office and National Monuments.
Religious places should not be essentially national symbols. Yes, on Independence Day or Republic Day, people make respectful use of the flag or symbol at their religious places, then it can be a symbol of patriotism and unity, but it should always be according to voluntary and public dignity.
The national symbol should not be connected to any particular religion. They will be able to give the right message of their dignity and national unity only when they are separated from religious places and connected to public national life.
Symbolic picture
How much punishment for insulting the national symbol?
To prevent insult to national symbols, the name and symbol (prevention of inappropriate use) in the country is a Act-1950. Under this law, a provision of fine of only Rs 500 was made. However, the central government was preparing to tighten this law further. Under this, it was proposed to increase the fine from five hundred rupees to one lakh rupees. Repeatedly for violating this law, a fine of up to five lakh rupees was proposed and a jail sentence of up to six months was proposed.
Apart from this, action can also be taken under the Public Safety Act. On the other hand, if the national flag is insulted, then under the Indian Flag Code, that person can be punished for up to three years.
Who had built Hazratbal Dargah?
The history of the Holy Hazratbal Dargah is considered associated with the 17th century. Today, the place where the Hazratbal Dargah is located, there was originally there is Ishrat Mahal and a garden, which was built in the year 1623 by Shah Jahan’s Subedar Sadiq Khan.
On the website of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC), it has been told that the dargah has actually kept the beard of Prophet Muhammad Saheb. It is also known by the names of Dargah Sharif, Asar-e-Sharif and Medin-Us-Sani. Its construction was started in the year 1968 under the supervision of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on behalf of the Muslim Aukaf Trust.
The construction of this domed white marble dargah was completed in the year 1979. That is, it took about 11 years for its construction. There is a lot of crowd in the Hazratbal Dargah for the prayers of Friday (Jumme). Apart from this, tourists also come here. On special occasions, there is a good number of tourists here.
The dargah was built in the year 1623 by the Subedar Sadiq Khan of Shah Jahan. Photo: Getty Images
Dargah shines like silver
In the year 2010, a Bollywood film came in moment. In this too, Hazratbal Dargah was shown. Women are allowed to go to only the first part of this mosque. While passing through its corridors, people are stunned to see its art. This dargah, situated on the banks of Dal Lake, shines like silver. Its glow increases even more in the moonlight night. Shikara can also be resorted to to reach here.
Also read: Why did Shah Jahan worship for himself in Ashtavinayak temple?