The BJP-led J&K Waqf Board on Monday banned the age-old practice of felicitating political figures with the turban-tying ceremony at shrines in the Kashmir Valley, which have for long been bastions of regional political parties.
“The Board is in receipt of a number of complaints regarding unethical use of the platform of ‘Ziyarats’ [shrines] to appease influential people, particularly the political leaders, through turban-tying [Dastaar Bandi] ceremony. The leaders continue to be invited to the shrines and their Dastaar Bandi is carried out on the basis of party affiliations to promote political agenda at sacred religious places,” an order issued by J&K Waqf Board read.
The Board, headed by BJP leader Darakshan Andrabi, decided that only ceremonies for religious purposes will be allowed with prior permission.
