1. Hazratbal Shrine
Why in the News?
- A controversy erupted after an inauguration plaque with the Ashoka emblem was installed at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, leading to protests by worshippers who alleged it violated Islamic beliefs against sculptures in sacred spaces.
- Political leaders in Jammu & Kashmir — from NC, PDP, and others — criticized the Waqf Board for “hurting sentiments”, while Waqf vice-chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi (BJP) called the protesters “terrorists”, further intensifying the row.
- The incident has sparked a broader debate over religious sensitivities, shrine management, and political interference in Waqf affairs.
About Hazratbal Shrine
- Hazratbal Dargah is the most revered Muslim shrine in Jammu & Kashmir, located on the northern banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
- It houses the Moi-e-Muqqadas, believed to be a strand of hair of the Prophet Muhammad, making it one of the holiest Islamic sites in India.
- The relic was first brought to Kashmir in the 17th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
- The shrine is an important center of Sufi tradition and Kashmiri Muslim identity, attracting lakhs of devotees, especially during religious festivals.
- Architecturally, Hazratbal has a white marble façade, a single dome, and a tall minaret, blending Mughal and Kashmiri styles.
- The relic is displayed to the public on special religious occasions, such as Eid and the Prophet’s birthday (Milad-un-Nabi), drawing huge gatherings.
- Historically, Hazratbal has also been a site of political mobilization and resistance in Kashmir, symbolizing both spirituality and identity.
- The shrine is managed by the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, which oversees Islamic religious properties and shrines across the Union Territory.
2. Beas River
Why in the News?
- The Beas river in Himachal Pradesh recorded its highest-ever water inflow of 70 billion cubic meters (BCM) between July 1 and September 5, 2025, due to unprecedented rainfall in its catchment areas.
- Excess inflow forced the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release water from Pong Dam, leading to flooding in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
- Political controversy arose, with parties blaming the BBMB for poor water management, though officials cited advance warnings and silt accumulation in dams as major challenges.
About Beas River
- The Beas River originates near the Rohtang Pass (Himachal Pradesh) at an elevation of about 4,000 metres in the Pir Panjal range.
- It flows for around 470 km through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before merging with the Sutlej River at Harike in Punjab.
- The river was known in ancient texts as Vipasha; the Greeks referred to it as the Hyphasis.
- Historically significant: It marked the easternmost boundary of Alexander the Great’s conquest (326 BCE), where his army refused to advance further.
- Major tributaries: Banganga, Luni, Uhal, Bain, and Chakki rivers.
- The Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir) is built on the Beas, primarily for irrigation, hydropower, and flood control.
- The Beas is crucial for the Indus Water Treaty (1960), under which India has exclusive rights over the waters of Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej.
- Ecologically, the river basin supports diverse wildlife and is central to agriculture in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, though it faces challenges of flooding, siltation, and pollution.
