A video circulating online depicts a mob allegedly defacing the Ashoka emblem at the Hazratbal Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a reaction from the Waqf Board. The incident reportedly occurred following renovations at the shrine, with claims that a marble structure bearing the emblem was damaged by protestors.

The Hazratbal Shrine is a revered Muslim shrine in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, that houses a relic believed by many to be a strand from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad.

The incident has sparked outrage, with BJP leader and Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board, Dr. Darakshan Andrabi, calling it "very unfortunate" and condemning the tarnishing of the national emblem.

Reports indicate that the uproar stemmed from the installation of the marble structure featuring the Ashoka emblem during recent renovation work at the shrine. Some individuals reportedly misinterpreted the installation as the introduction of a "murti" (idol) inside the mosque, leading to protests and the subsequent damage to the emblem.

The J&K Waqf Board, which manages the shrine, has yet to release an official statement detailing the extent of the damage and the actions being taken in response to the incident. However, the Waqf Board has faced public scrutiny in the past regarding the management and maintenance of the Hazratbal Shrine. In February 2025, the board formed a committee to address public concerns about unhygienic conditions and food safety issues at the shrine after a video surfaced showing rats in the oil used by food vendors. In October 2023, the Waqf Board suspended all officers and staff of the Hazratbal Shrine due to negligence of duties during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi.

The incident involving the Ashoka emblem highlights the sensitivities surrounding religious sites and the potential for misinterpretations to escalate into acts of vandalism. Further investigation is needed to determine the motives of those involved and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.