Srinagar: BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit launched a Tricolor Yatra earlier today. The yatra was held protesting against the statement of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in which she had said that she would not hoist the national flag until the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was restored.
The rally was taken out under heavy security arrangement from Srinagar's Tagore Hall to SKICC in Dalgate.
BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said that the rally is a response to those who speak against national interests.
"Mehbooba Mufti disrespected the country's flag and honour. This rally is to show her that thousands of people in Jammu and Kashmir are ready to hoist the flag," Thakur said.
While passing through the posh Gupkar where Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leaders including Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have their residences, the workers raised slogans against them and the Gupkar Declaration.
This is the first time since 1947 a tricolour yatra was organised in Srinagar.
Also read: J&K police detain BJP workers trying to hoist tricolour in Srinagar
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police detained Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers who were allegedly trying to hoist the national flag at the clock tower at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Monday. BJP workers were also seen hoisting the national flag at the People's Democratic Party (PDP) office in the city.
Mufti, who was released from detention on October 13, said that she will not hoist or raise the tricolour until the flag of Jammu and Kashmir was restored.
Last week, seven mainstream political parties in the state formed Peoples' Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and demanded the government of India to return all the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh which they had enjoyed until last year.
