New Delhi, Sept 4, KNT: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Lone should apologise for allegedly raising “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2018, as proceedings continued in the case challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
Lone is among the lead petitioners challenging the August 2019 decision that revoked the special constitutional status of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.
The issue surfaced before a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Bench that Lone, being a lead petitioner in the Article 370 matter, should make his position clear regarding his allegiance to the Constitution and apologise for the alleged slogan raised on the floor of the Assembly in 2018.
Mehta argued that statements made by senior political leaders carried wider implications and could influence public sentiment.
“These statements coming from senior leaders have its own effect. If no apology is given, it would encourage others. This will have an effect on steps taken to bring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehta submitted before the court.
The Bench said it had taken note of the submissions made and the material referred to before it and indicated that Lone’s statement would be sought when his turn for rejoinder arguments arises.
Senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and V Giri, appearing for intervenors supporting the abrogation of Article 370, backed the Centre’s submission and argued that Lone should file an affidavit apologising for the alleged slogan.
The matter had also drawn intervention from a Kashmiri Pandit group.
Earlier, an intervention application was filed in the Supreme Court by NGO “Roots in Kashmir,” which describes itself as a group of Kashmiri Pandit youths, seeking to place additional documents and facts on record in the case.
The application questioned Lone’s credentials and alleged that he supported secessionist forces operating in Jammu and Kashmir and those favouring Pakistan.
The allegations made in the intervention application and during court proceedings remain claims and submissions placed before the court.
The Constitution Bench is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and reorganise Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. [KNT]
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