KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir enjoins a special position in India and that Article 370 is permanent and can’t be abrogated, repealed or amended, J&K High court order has directed the state government to hoist the state flag on all official buildings and vehicles of constitutional authorities.
Justice Hasnain Masoodi observed in his judgment that the state flag is one of the attributes of constitutional autonomy or limited or residual sovereignty — by whatever names we call it — enjoined by the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The 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, Justice Masoodi directed while disposing a writ petition filed by a civilian Abdul Qayoom Khan.
“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.”
The judgment is a setback to Mufti Sayeed-led PDP-BJP coalition government that had withdrawn a circular asking the constitutional authorities to respect the state flag and hoist it on their official cars.
