Amid criticism against Mufti's national flag remark,Kashmiri leaders meet to discuss future course

Srinagar: A Meeting of members of 'People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration' held at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti's residence in Srinagar.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah were also present.

"It's not an anti-national Jamaat, our aim is to ensure that the rights of people of J&K and Ladakh are restored," reacted Farooq Abdullah before media after the meet.

"Attempts of dividing us in the name of religion will fail. It's not a religious fight",he added.

"Farooq Abdullah is to be president and Mehbooba Mufti the vice-president of 'People's Alliance'. A document will be prepared within a month via which we'll present facts behind the lies that are being propagated. It'll be a tribute to people of J&K who are being slandered,"said Peoples Conference (PC) leader Sajjad Lone.

Meanwhile the Congress unit of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday strongly condemned the PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's statement on the tricolour. He asked former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister to desist from making highly provocative and irresponsible remarks on the national flag,

"Such statements are intolerable and unacceptable in any society," reacted Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma and added that she has hurt the patriotic sentiments of people.

Sharma added that the national flag is the symbol of the honour and dignity of the country and reminds people of the sacrifices of crores of Indians to achieve freedom and protect the country's dignity, honour and territorial integrity.

Earlier speaking to the media in Srinagar on Friday, Mufti had said that she will not raise any other flag till the flag of Jammu and Kashmir is returned.

Mufti was addressing a press conference, first after she was released from 14-month long detention, along with other PDP members.

During the press conference Mufti said that the BJP demolished the Constitution of India by implementing anti-people laws, she also compared Modi's rule to Hilter and called it "authoritarian".

She also asserted that she was not interested in contesting elections or holding the national tricolour till the constitutional changes enforced on August 5 last year were rolled back.

Reacting to the statement, On Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina said that no power on earth can restore Article 370 and the flag of the erstwhile state.

Hitting out at PDP president, the BJP leader said those feeling troubled and insecure in India should go to Pakistan as J&K is not their fiefdom.

He clarified that "conspiracies of the Gupkar Gang" would not be tolerated and anyone challenging the unity and integrity of the country would be jailed.

He also called for celebrating October 26 as 'accession day' to send a clear message that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.

Mainstream political parties in Kashmir, including NC and PDP, had formed the People's alliance for the Gupkar Declaration this month for restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state as it existed before August 5 last year and also to initiate a dialogue between all stakeholders on the issue.