J&K High Court stays two flag order

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday stayed its earlier order on hoisting of state flag on all official buildings and vehicles of constitutional authorities.

After hearing arguments by a senior advocate in Jammu, a division bench of the high court stayed December 27 order passed by the single bench in which it had directed that state’s flag must be used on government property along with the tri-color.

Earlier, Justice Hasnain Masoodi while disposing of a writ petition filed by one Abdul Qayoom Khan had directed that state government and all constitutional authorities shall adhere to and abide by mandate and spirit of Section 144, Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, J&K Prevention of Insult to State Honour Act 1979.

“Such adherence, obviously, is to include hoisting of state flag on the buildings housing offices of constitutional authorities and on vehicles used by such authorities,” he had ordered.

The order had been challenged by ex-IGP and a leader of BJP, which governs the state in coalition with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Political storm
The development triggered a political storm with former chief minister Omar Abdullah attacking his successor Mufti Mohammed Sayeed saying if he cannot defend the state’s dignity and flag from the nefarious plans of his ally BJP he should step down and find someone who can defend it.

Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in the country permitted to fly its own state flag along with the tri-color.
DH News Service