Star News Agency

New Delhi. BJP condemns Govt. decision of not hoisting the National Flag at Lal Chowk in Shrinagar on Republic Day.

BJP National Spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said that This is a meek surrender by the Govt. before the separatist elements in the valley. More serious is the reason given for such a shameful decision, that unfurling of National Flag would provoke separatists and extremists and is a “Needless Provocation”.

He said that for last 19 years the Tricolour is being hoisted by BSF and CRPF on Independence Day and Republic Day every year. This tradition started after BJP launched nationwide Ekta Yatra under the leadership of the then President of the party Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, amidst the challenge from separatist and Pak sponsored militants. Security forces used to have their own Republic Day celebration at Lal Chowk and distribute sweets after hoisting tricolour on the clock tower in Lal Chowk.

He sais that it is pertinent to note that last year, Kashmiri people participated in large number in flag hoisting ceremony at Lal Chowk. Govt. should have encouraged such participation but instead it chose to cancel the flag hoisting itself.