17/03/2026
𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 | 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙦𝙛 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝘼𝙙𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙧-𝙚-𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙇𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙯𝙖𝙖𝙧
Lal Bazaar, 17th March 26: Residents of Lal Bazaar have begun advocating for Aasar-e-Sharief Lal Bazaar to be brought under the administration of the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, citing concerns over the shrine’s maintenance and overall condition.
Locals point out that despite the shrine’s religious significance, it lacks the level of organized management, infrastructural upkeep, and beautification observed at several other prominent shrines across the Valley. Being under private administration, they believe there is limited scope for planned development and systematic maintenance.
Community members also referred to the recent beautification and development works carried out at Dargah Hazratbal under the supervision of Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, noting that such institutional oversight has significantly improved facilities and the overall environment for devotees.
They believe that bringing Aasar-e-Sharief under the Waqf Board could similarly ensure better management, enhanced facilities, and consistent upkeep, particularly during important religious occasions when large numbers of devotees visit the shrine.
The matter, for now, remains at the level of public suggestion, with residents hoping that the concerned authorities will take note of the growing sentiment.
