Probe against NC MLA for anthem 'insult' at Omar's oath

SRINAGAR: J&K administration has ordered a probe into National Conference MLA (NC) MLA Hilal Akbar Lone’s alleged “disrespect” of the National Anthem by not standing during its rendition at his leader Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in as CM on Wednesday.

Sonawari legislator Hilal -- son of NC veteran and former assembly Speaker Akbar Lone -- denied the allegations, insisting he kept sitting as he had medical reasons to do so due to back pain.

Intelligence sources claimed some attendees were not seen standing when the Anthem was played during the ceremony at Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) where LG Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Omar and his council ministers. Hilal was one of the attendees not seen standing, the sources said, adding the event’s footage was being scanned for corroboration.

“Police have taken cognisance of an incident where an individual did not stand up during the playing of the National Anthem. A preliminary enquiry by an SP rank officer under section 173 (3) of BNSS has been initiated, and electronic evidence is being analysed for further course of legal action,” J&K Police posted on X.

Hilal defended his action citing his back pain and claimed a Supreme Court directive to buttress his stand. “It’s not a crime to remain seated during the national anthem as per a Supreme Court observation. I had no intention to insult the anthem, and as a legislator, I would never do so. I had a valid medical problem,” Hilal said. He did not elaborate when and in which case the top court had purportedly made such observations.

The controversy surrounding Hilal comes over a decade after his father Akbar ignited a furore by raising pro-Pakistan slogans inside the J&K assembly. Akbar was a minister at the time in a govt led by Omar as CM.

Akbar’s action was raised by the Centre’s lawyers last year before a three-judge Supreme Court constitution bench hearing challenges to the 2019 abrogation of J&K’s special status. Akbar, among the petitioners against the abrogation, was then ordered by the bench to file an unconditional written apology.

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