SRINAGAR, Sept 25: Worshippers in Kashmir capital Srinagar have taken to streets to protest after the central dome of Hazratbal shrine, which houses the relic of Prophet Muhammad, was damaged during repairs.
The Hazratbal shrine or the Dargah – as it is called in Kashmir – is the holiest Muslim site in Kashmir.
Angry people outside the shrine are protesting against the government and the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Waqf Board – a body which looks after most of the shrines in the valley – for their callousness in dealing with the repairs, witnesses say.
Police say workers were busy rubbing the dome when marble tiles from one third of its portion came off.
The dome was already covered in scaffolding for renovation for last many months.
Later advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul visited Dargah Hazratbal Shrine and took stock of the damage caused to it.
On the occasion he interacted with the people and assured them proper renovation of the Shrine would be undertaken. “The sentiments of whole society are attached to the shrine and government particularly Omar Abdullah would take every possible step to enhance the dignity and respect of the shrine,”a n official spokesman said.
