Security tightens across Jammu & Kashmir after Hazratbal Shrine Row, Doda Peace remains fragile

In Jammu & Kashmir, authorities have escalated security measures after a controversy at the Hazratbal shrine involving the Ashoka emblem, and in Doda district following the detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

Both incidents have triggered protests, detentions, and a series of restrictions in sensitive areas, as leaders and locals express deeply divided opinions.

At Hazratbal in Srinagar, a plaque bearing the national emblem was vandalised inside the Hazratbal shrine, alarming many who viewed the act as a serious breach of religious norms and national symbolism.

More than 50 people have been detained for questioning in connection with the incident. The Jammu & Kashmir Police have initiated investigations, examining CCTV footage and video recordings.

Officials say formal arrests are yet to be confirmed. Political reactions have poured in: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for an apology from the Waqf Board, saying the national emblem traditionally assigned to government use does not belong in religious institutions.

In Doda district, tensions flared after Mehraj Malik, an AAP MLA, was taken into detention under the PSA for allegedly disturbing public order. Protests erupted, and clashes between demonstrators and security personnel left at least eight police personnel injured.

Authorities responded by imposing prohibitory orders, sealing towns, deploying additional security in areas such as Bhaderwah, Gandoh, Bhalessa, Chilli Pingal, Kahara, and Thathri. Shops and business establishments, as well as educational institutions, were shut down; residents were advised to remain indoors.

The prohibitory orders were partially relaxed to allow people to attend Friday prayers.

Local AAP leaders have criticized Malik’s detention, characterizing it as politically motivated and unconstitutional. They assert that the PSA, a provision originally designed for more serious law-and-order threats, is being misused to stifle dissent.

Meanwhile, in Doda the mood is described as “uneasy calm” with no fresh protests reported following the initial clashes.

The response from the government reflects concern over possible communal or religious backlash due to the Hazratbal emblem issue, and over law and order breakdown in Doda due to public outcry over political detention.

Security officials say the heightened surveillance, additional deployments, and restrictions are precautionary measures aimed at preventing escalation.

What remains unsettled is how both situations will drive political and social shifts in the region. The Hazratbal controversy has drawn sharp debate over the role of religious institutions, state symbols, and identity politics.

The events in Doda have raised questions about the use of strict legal provisions like PSA against elected representatives, the balance between public order and civil liberties, and the efficacy of imposing restrictions on civilian life.