BJP-PDP hit back at Geelani for waving Pak flag at J-K rally

Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party-People's Democratic Party (BJP-PDP) coalition on Saturday hit back at Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who hoisted Pakistani flags at a rally organised in Tral and called for legal

action against the latter.

BJP leader Hina Bhat said that such demonstrations would not have any effect and should not be paid heed to.

"This has been happening since 20 years and it is not going to have any effect. It will definitely have repercussions but this matter should not be given so much weightage," Bhat said.

"Such demonstrations should be stopped from happening because of which innocent people are killed. Legal action will be taken against such things. At the national, state or local level, whoever tries to break the law, legal action should be taken," she added.

PDP leader Abhijit Singh Jasrotia condemned the action, saying that it maligns the image of Kashmir globally.

"I'd like to say that the number of Pakistani flags that used to be on houses in Kashmir has gradually gone down and I request them not to show all these kinds because this is not giving a good picture of Kashmir worldwide. After great endeavours of the government, doing such things would not have a good impact on the image of our nation," he added.

Geelani struck controversy when he waved Pakistani flags at a rally organised in Tral earlier on Saturday.

He also demanded that duration of the Hindu pilgrimage 'Amarnath Yatra' be restricted to one month.

This is the second such incident to have taken place in a month.