And the law goes lawless???
Malik Sameed
Srinagar | As the Darbar has shifted to Jammu, the civil secretariat here in the summer capital is a glaring case how careless the administration is. Now, in an open example to disrespecting the Jammu and Kashmir’s flag- which is a rectangular (3:2), deep red flag with three equidistant white vertical strips of equal width next to the staff and a white plough in the middle, has gone off the scene.
It is no more waving on the top of the secretariat. The civil secretariat which already wears a deserted look for not having a winter secretariat, the power house hardly gives an impression that it is the place that governs state in summers.
In 2007, the state assembly too had passed an amendment moved by a National Conference legislator, making the State honour law tougher .
History
J&K has a separate constitution, which was adopted on November 17, 1956, and Article 370 is the bridge that links the State with the union of India. Almost all constitutional authorities in our state including the governor, council of ministers, speaker, High Court judges, etc – are creations of, and function under the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.
Article 144 of constitution of Jammu and Kashmir talks about the flag of the state. The 1952 Delhi agreement between J&K and the Union of India says that ‘The Union Government agreed that the State should have its own flag in addition to the Union flag, but it was agreed by the State Government that the State flag would not be a rival of the Union flag’.
It was also accepted that the Union flag should have the same status and position in Jammu and Kashmir as in the rest of India, but for historical reasons the State flag was Accepted as a mark of respect for the struggle of state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Social activist Er. Idrees ul haq says it is a serious breach to provisions of law. “Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of insult of State Honours Act 1979 says anything that brings into contempt the flag of the state, shall be punished with imprisonment. The State is under the obligation to display the dignity and the honour to the State flag, in order to demonstrate republican character Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
Despite repeated attempts, Chief Secretary of the state was not contacted for his comments over the serious issue.