SRINAGAR: The Centre on Monday asked Member Parliament from north Kashmir constituency Akbar Lone to file an affidavit owing allegiance to the Indian Constitution and condemning terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.
The development comes days after a petitioner filed a plea against Akbar Lone stating that he raised “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly when he was MLA.
As soon as the bench assembled this morning, one counsel submitted that he has filed an affidavit about a “startling fact” which came to his knowledge. Representing a Kashmiri Pandits’ organization “Roots in Kashmir”, the counsel stated that National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Lone, the main petitioner in the batch of cases challenging the repeal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, had made pro-Pakistan slogans in the State Assembly and other places, LiveLaw reported.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta then stated that Lone should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court asserting that he owed allegiance to the Constitution of India and opposed secessionist forces and terrorism. Another counsel demanded that Lone should express an apology and that his submissions should be taken on record only if he expresses remorse for his statements.
“Not just remorse, he must say that he opposes secessionist activities and terrorism by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir”, SG Tushar Mehta said.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said. Pointing out that Lone was a Member of Parliament and not an ordinary man, SG said, “Despite it being brougt to the notice of the court if he does nothing it might encourage others. The efforts of the nation to bring normalcy which is substantially successful might be affected. Coming from responsible leaders it has its own seriousness”.
