New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh
on Thursday requested President Pratibha Patil to ensure that its
youth wing is allowed to hoist the national flag in Srinagar
on Republic Day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar
Abdullah opposed the party`s programme.
In a letter to Patil, Singh said some political parties
-- including some "fringe elements" of Jammu and Kashmir --
are opposing the hoisting of the national tricolour in the
state which is an integral part of India.
"Rather than protecting this right of individuals, some
political parties and even the government of Jammu and Kashmir
is seen to be a hindrance in hoisting of tri-colour on the
soil of Jammu and Kashmir," Singh said.
The former BJP President maintained that hoisting the
flag was a constitutional right of all citizens and a
fundamental duty as well.
"Your kind self being head of the Indian constitution, I
humbly request you, to personally look into this matter and
ensure that no state government or any political party of any
separatist group or individual creates any hindrance in
hoisting of the national tricolour," he said.
Omar has reacted sharply to the plan to hoist the flag in
Lal Chowk in Srinagar saying that BJP wants to set the Kashmir
Valley on fire again and warned that if there were any
repercussions, he would hold that party responsible.
PTI
