New Delhi, Sep 4: On Monday, the Centre informed the Supreme Court of its desire for National Conference leader Mohd Akbar Lone to issue an apology for his 2018 proclamation of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Lone is the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, conveyed this during a session presided over by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. Mehta emphasized that while Lone serves as the lead petitioner contesting the abrogation, he must also affirm his allegiance to the Constitution and apologize for his slogan on the Assembly floor.
The bench, including Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant, indicated that it would request a statement from Lone during his rejoinder arguments. The bench acknowledged its examination of a newspaper report and took note of the arguments presented in court.
Mehta stressed, “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.” This position was supported by senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and V Giri, who represent intervenors advocating for the abrogation. They asserted that Lone should provide an affidavit apologizing for his past slogans.
On September 1, a Kashmiri Pandit group raised questions about Lone’s credentials in the Supreme Court, alleging that he supported secessionist forces. An NGO called ‘Roots in Kashmir’ filed an intervention application, claiming to represent Kashmiri Pandit youths and seeking to introduce additional documents and facts in the case. The application alleged that Lone is recognized as “a supporter of secessionist forces operating in Jammu and Kashmir who support Pakistan.”
