Pro-Pak Slogan By NC's Akbar Lone: SC Seeks Affidavit Accepting India’s Sovereignty, Pledging Allegiance To Constitution

The direction came after it was alleged that Lone had raised the 'Pakistan zindabad' (long live Pakistan) slogan in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly in 2018, kicking up a massive row.

The Supreme Court asked Mohd Akbar Lone to file an affidavit swearing allegiance to the Constitution of India.

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday asked Mohd Akbar Lone, National Conference leader and the lead petitioner in the Article 370 abrogation challenge case, to file an affidavit swearing allegiance to the Constitution of India, accepting the sovereignty of India and undertaking that J&K is an integral part of India, reported news agency PTI.

The direction came after it was alleged that Lone had raised the 'Pakistan zindabad' (long live Pakistan) slogan in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly in 2018, kicking up a massive row.

Responding to the five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that Lone will file the affidavit by Tuesday. Sibal further stated that he will not represent Lone if he does not file the affidavit as sought by the bench.

"He is an MP of Lok Sabha. He is citizen of India and sworn to his office by the Constitution. He accepts the sovereignty of India," Sibal said, reported PTI.

Earlier in the day, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that the Centre wanted Lone to apologise for raising ‘Pakistan zindabad’ slogan in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2018.

According to the news agency, the law officer said that Lone has to state that he owes allegiance to the Constitution and apologise for raising the slogan on the floor of the House.

On September 1, a Kashmiri Pandit group had questioned in the top court the credentials of Lone, claiming he was a supporter of secessionist forces.

An NGO named 'Roots in Kashmir,' which claims to be a group of Kashmiri Pandit youths, filed an intervention application in the apex court seeking to bring some additional documents and facts on record in the matter, reported PTI.

It alleged that Lone is known as "a supporter of secessionist forces operating in J-K, who support Pakistan."