‘Fake News’: NC Refutes Claims on Omar Abdullah’s Hazratbal Visit

SRINAGAR: The ruling National Conference on Monday dismissed reports suggesting that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was denied entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Hazratbal shrine, terming them “fake news” and politically motivated.

Fake news. @OmarAbdullah Sb is the CM of J&K and no one can stop him from entering the Sanctum Sanctorum of Dargah Hazratbal. I request the reputable @ttindia to ascertain facts before putting the questionable version out in public domain and don’t fall to BJP propoganda. https://t.co/i2MW6jIAk9

— Imran Nabi Dar (@ImranNDar) September 1, 2025

In a post on X, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar wrote, “Fake news. @OmarAbdullah Sb is the CM of J&K and no one can stop him from entering the sanctum sanctorum of Dargah Hazratbal. I request the reputable @ttindia to ascertain facts before putting the questionable version out in public domain and not fall for BJP propaganda.”

Earlier, The Telegraph reported that Omar Abdullah faced hurdles during his visit to the shrine, a former NC power centre, where he had gone to review arrangements for the ongoing Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi festival. The report claimed the CM could only peer through the glass of the under-construction main hall.

According to the paper, the hall has been under renovation for the past eight months, with daily prayers shifted to a side hall. Eyewitnesses cited by The Telegraph said ply sheets had been erected to block the view of the main hall before a planned inauguration. They added that Omar, who entered via the VIP gate, was received by Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi, a BJP leader, but was told politely that nobody was being allowed into the main hall until its reopening.

Imran Nabi Dar, however, rejected the claims outright, stressing that Omar Abdullah’s access to Hazratbal has never been blocked. He accused sections of the media of politicising the matter and urged news organisations to verify facts before amplifying “BJP-driven narratives.” (JKNS)