Jammu and Kashmir HC order to hoist state flag kicks up a row

A major political storm has hit Jammu & Kashmir after the state high court ruled that Article 370 cannot be repealed or abrogated and called for hoisting state flags on all government buildings and vehicles.

Protests erupted in Jammu after the Panther's Party took to the streets, demanding answers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is a ruling partner of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), over the judgment.

The National Conference (NC), which has most of its MLAs from the Kashmir valley, hailed the judgment.

The PDP, which has all its 28 MLAs from Kashmir valley, said they subscribe to what the court has said.

"We are already respecting the state flag. If you see the house, vehicle or office of a cabinet minister, the state flag is already hoisted. The way it is being projected, that some different country has emerged, is wrong. This is something which has been given by the Constitution," said Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, political analyst to chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP spokesman.