Step down if you can't 'defend state's dignity': Omar tells Mufti

Asserting that he fully supports the two-flag order, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday lashed out at incumbent Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for not defending the state's dignity from the 'nefarious plans of allies'.

"If Mufti Syed can't defend the state's dignity & flag from the nefarious plans of his allies he should step down & find someone who can!!!," Omar said.

"Here's what I'll say - so long as J&K is a part of India the two flags will continue to fly & we'll take pride in it," he added.

"Why is only J&K expected to respect the terms of accession while the rest of the country can disregard them with impunity?" he said in a series of tweets.

A two-judge bench today stayed its earlier order allowing the state government to use both the tricolour as well as the state flags on official buildings and vehicles.

Earlier on December 27, the court had directed the state government to hoist the state flag, along with the national flag - a decision contested by the BJP, which is a part of the PDP-led regime in the state.

"It connects past with present and future. Flag while reminding us of struggle made by the people and their sacrifices also makes us aware of our aspirations," the December 27 judgment read.

Underscoring the importance of the state flag, the court said that Jammu and Kashmir is only state in the Union that has its own flag adopted by its Constituent Assembly, and provided in its Constitution.

However, Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister and BJP leader Nirmal Singh had questioned the use of the state flag. He had said earlier this week that no flag could be hoisted at an equal level to the national flag and said the matter will be dealt legally.