Former CM Mehbooba Mufti castigates Waqf Chairperson, seeks action under 295-A against Waqf Board over Hazratbal plaque row

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06 (STC): Castigating Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi over inauguration plaque controversy at Hazratbal shrine, former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today in a press conference here said that instead of taking action against those who defaced the emblem out of religious sentiment, the government should lodge an FIR against the Waqf Board chairperson and members who allowed such an act.
“Hazratbal is a religious place, not a venue for coronation or political symbolism,” Mehbooba said and demanded legal action against those responsible for installing the controversial inauguration plaque bearing the State Emblem inside the Hazratbal shrine.
She said action can be taken by invoking Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code that deals with deliberate acts intended to outrage religious sentiments.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the former chief minister said the move had deeply hurt the religious feelings of Muslims and those responsible should be booked under the law.
She castigated Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi for demanding PSA against those who vandalised the plaque. “Calling the Home Minister of India to slap PSA on locals is unacceptable. The real question is who permitted installation of the emblem in a shrine where there is no concept of idol worship,” she added.
The former Chief Minister maintained that successive governments had worked for the development of Hazratbal but had refrained from what she described as “unislamic practices.”
(Straight Talk Communications)