Art 370 Hearing: Mohd Akbar Lone Should Apologize for his 2018 ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ Slogan, Centre tells SC

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it wanted the National Conference leader Mohd Akbar Lone to issue an apology for his ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogan raised in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly back in 2018.

It is to be noted that 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 to a Constitution bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant that while Lone is the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation, he must publicly declare his allegiance to the Constitution and offer an apology for his slogan in the House. The bench stated that it would seek a statement from Lone during his rejoinder arguments. It further confirmed that it had reviewed a newspaper report and acknowledged the arguments made in court.

Mehta argued, “These statements made by senior leaders have significant implications. If no apology is extended, it may set a precedent and encourage others. This could impact the efforts aimed at restoring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and V Giri, who are representing intervenors supporting the abrogation, echoed Mehta’s stance, emphasizing that Lone should provide an affidavit expressing regret for the raised slogans.

On September 1, a Kashmiri Pandit group questioned Lone’s credibility in the Supreme Court, asserting that he was a supporter of secessionist forces.

An intervention application has been submitted to the apex court by the NGO ‘Roots in Kashmir,’ claiming to be a collective of Kashmiri Pandit youths, seeking to present additional documents and facts relevant to the case.

The application alleged that Lone is recognized as a “supporter of secessionist forces operating in Jammu and Kashmir, who advocate for Pakistan.”