The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday withdrew an earlier order to hoist the state flag alongside the national flag at all government institutions.
“It was surprising for us, including the Chief Minister [Mufti Mohammad Sayeed] that a circular has been issued with regards to the state flag. We don’t know who did it. That is why the circular was withdrawn,” J-K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh told the media.
“An inquiry is on and will see to it that action is taken in due course of time,” he added.
Meanwhile, former J-K chief minister Omar Abdullah expressed outrage over the withdrawal of the order via a series of tweets, terming the order ‘timely and correct’.
“Why on earth would they withdraw the order? The order was correct and timely.
“What was that about standing up to the BJP/RSS/Centre Mufti Sahib???”
“Mufti Syed can’t protect the sanctity of the most visible sign of J-K’s special status so let’s not even expect anything on AFSPA, 370 Etc.”
On Thursday, the J-K government issued a circular which reiterated the sanctity of the state flag. The order urged all public institutions to hoist the flag beside the Tricolour. The circular further stated that the non-hoisting of the state flag amounts to the ‘insult’ of the same. (ANI)