President Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) and MLA Langate Er Rashid Sunday unfurled J&K state flag amid thumping cheers and thundering slogans at Pratap Park here, where people had poured in from different districts of Jammu & Kashmir to celebrate the day.The flag was unfurled at 11:30 this morning following which the famous lyrics “Lehra aye Kashmir ke jandey” was sung and everybody got up from the chair to pay respect to the state flag. On the occasion, Er Rashid moved a resolution seeking that 7th June be declared State Flag Day and government must declare it as a gazetted holiday for the state, so that everybody can celebrate the State Flag Day at various places. The resolution was unanimously passed and it was decided to send the copies to the govt for implementing the contents of the resolution.
Speaking on the occasion Rashid said, “Those who cry for ‘Ek Vidan, Ek Pradhan and Ek Nishan’ are unaware of the history and need to learn that Jammu & Kashmir is entirely a different State and the relationship with Delhi is conditional. Kashmiris will not sit to rest unless 1952 Delhi agreement is restored and respected by New Delhi in letter and spirit, failing which Kashmiris will also be forced to rethink about the relationship with India. Every Indian needs to understand fully that J&K was a complete sovereign State when Indians were fighting British to get freedom and lost it to India and Pakistan when they surfaced at the globe as Independent countries.”
“It is New Delhi that has made breach of trust every time and cannot hold Kashmiris responsible for all those events that are happening here,” he added.
Rashid appealed the High Court to take sou-moto cognizance and ensure that the dignity of the State flag and constitution of J&K is restored. “One must not forget that all the high court justice does get selected for the highest judicial posts only through J&K’s own constitution. Let us ensure that the state flag is hoisted in Kashmir House Delhi and at other all constitutional and administrative offices,” he said.He levelled serious charges against the State govt and alleged that it has gone absolutely communal. He said “The way Muslims are being displaced in Jammu, Muslim bureaucrats being posted at less important places in State and Kashmiri Pandits being offered everything they want, is ample proof of State govt. being run by RSS and it seems as if nothing is in the hands of Mufti. Not only that but the local cadre highly talented officers of the State service including KAS and KPS are being treated like sub servants of centre cadre officers.”
Rashid warned State and Central govt. to restrain from dislodging Muslims in Jammu and other harsh measures being taken in the administration. He also assured Sikh community of full support what so ever required to protect the rights of Sikh community in the State.”Er Rashid asked PDP, NC and all those who claim to be nationalist and pro Kashmiri forces, to have at least a United Stand in protecting the sanctity and significance of our State flag.”He took pledge from the participants of the rally that State Flag Day will be celebrated every year on this day and we will make New Delhi understand clear and louder that we will not allow it to erode and snatch our constitutional and other special status.