New Delhi [India], September 7 (ANI): BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Sunday condemned the vandalism of the Ashoka Emblem at the Hazratbal shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it 'unfortunate'.

Hussain also criticised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for questioning the use of the national emblem on the foundation stone of Hazratbal shrine, and said the Ashoka Stambha is a national symbol and not a religious one.

Speaking to ANI, Shahnawaz Hussain said, '...Omar Abdullah is making wrong statements. The Ashoka Stambha is not a religious symbol; it is a national symbol and wherever any government institution works, it is put there. The kind of politics that is being done on it is hate politics. This is unfortunate. Someone will break the Ashoka Pillar in our own country. This is not acceptable from anywhere.'

This comes after Omar Abdullah questioned the use of the national emblem at the shrine and said, 'The first question is whether the emblem should have been etched on the foundation stone. I have never seen the emblem being used in any religious place. So, what was the compulsion to have the emblem on the stone at Hazratbal Shrine? What was the need to put up the stone? Was work not enough?'

A controversy erupted at the revered Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar when a mob vandalised the Ashoka Emblem on the foundation stone, sparking a heated debate about national symbols and religious sentiments.

National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq criticised the installation of the Ashoka Emblem, stating it violated Islamic principles that forbid idol worship.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti demanded action against those responsible, labelling the installation as 'blasphemous' and calling for the disbandment of the Waqf Board.

The Hazratbal Shrine is a revered religious site in Srinagar, housing the holy relic of the Prophet Mohammad. (ANI)