Don't hoist Indian flag in Srinagar: Omar to BJP

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Srinagar: In the run up to Republic Day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah renewed his appeal to the BJP of not hoisting the Tricolour in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, BJP has started its 'ekta yatra' and has said that it is going to hoist a flag at Lal Chowk on January 26.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister is apprehensive that it will disturb peace in the valley.

Click to play videoSrinagar: In the run up to Republic Day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah renewed his appeal to the BJP of not hoisting the Tricolour in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, BJP has started its 'ekta yatra' and has said that it is going to hoist a flag at Lal Chowk on January 26.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister is apprehensive that it will disturb peace in the valley.

When asked if it will create law and order problem in the valley, Omar said, "I don't knowit could, it may not."

"But do we really want to take that chance?" questions Omar.

"I mean, I've heard that they have equated this thing with flag burning...that if the flag can be burnt at Lal Chowk, why can't it be hoisted.. I mean, how can they possibly equate their standing with the standing of those who are not in any way nationalist in their outlook," he explains.

Appealing BJP to refrain from hoisting the flag, Omar said, "As far as I am concerned, I am making an earnest appeal to them not to do anything that could cause us a setback.. I think its a reasonable appeal and more so due to the fact that since 1992, BJP has not felt the need to raise the flag in Lal Chowk, why now?"

He even questioned BJP's intent by saying, "Why after all these ye! ars? In the years when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was prime minister, how come they never felt the need then? Then they were talking about J&K under the umbrella of humanity -'Insaniyat'...why today all of a sudden do they feel the need to take this step?"

"I'm hoping that sense will prevail and I hope that the national leadership understands that anything that could possibly evoke trouble in Kashmir cannot possibly be in the national interest," he said.