Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday took a swipe at former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti over her past remarks that there would be no one left in Jammu and Kashmir to hold the Tricolour.
In an apparent reference to Mehbooba Mufti's remarks, the Lieutenant Governor said, "It was once grimly predicted that the Tricolour would find no willing hands to carry it in Jammu and Kashmir. Today, it is held high with pride on countless resolute shoulders."
Without naming Mehbooba Mufti, the lieutenant governor referred to the historic Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and Tiranga Yatras being conducted across Jammu and Kashmir for successive years.
The lieutenant governor was speaking at a function after laying the foundation stone of the Amriteshwar Sarovar under the Jan Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative at Dharpur in Sunderbani, Rajouri district, on Friday.
Notably, Mehbooba Mufti, who was then Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, had warned in 2017 that any tinkering with the special rights and privileges of the people of the state would leave no one there to hold the Tricolour.
Mehbooba made the remarks at a time when certain organisations and individuals had challenged Article 35-A in the Supreme Court.
Without naming those who had challenged Article 35-A, Mehbooba had warned against any attempt to alter the special rights and privileges of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Who is doing it? Why are they challenging Article 35-A? I have no doubt in saying that there will be no one to hold the national flag if it is tinkered with," Mehbooba Mufti had stated in 2017 while serving as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti reiterated the statement after the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A in 2019.
While addressing a press conference in October 2020, Mehbooba Mufti had stated that unless the decisions taken by New Delhi on August 5, 2019, were revoked, New Delhi would find no shoulder to carry its flag in Jammu and Kashmir.
LG seeks people's support to eradicate terrorism
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the vital role of community solidarity in eliminating terrorism, substance abuse and corruption while driving economic development and promoting a spiritual renaissance in Jammu and Kashmir.
"India is going through a great spiritual revival. This cultural wave is being felt across Jammu and Kashmir, bringing people closer together and strengthening our community bonds," he said.
The Lieutenant Governor urged people to remain vigilant against the nefarious designs of anti-national elements, report suspicious activities and completely isolate terror sympathisers.
"Security forces alone cannot defeat terrorism. Eradicating this threat demands a whole-of-society approach. A united societal effort is required, along with the police and security agencies, to dismantle the illicit financial and logistical networks of narco-terror networks.
"A concerted security and societal effort, driven by the Army, security forces, J&K Police, local administration and residents of Jammu and Kashmir, has significantly degraded terrorism and transformed the region's security landscape."
Responding to the demands raised by the people, the Lieutenant Governor assured them that sincere efforts would be made by the administration to address public grievances and local infrastructure needs.
