Rasheed objects three day state mourning

Budgam, Jan 31: Coming down heavily on state Govt. for declaring a three day state mourning over the demise of Dr. Sonam Lonpo, AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er. Rasheed has asked Govt. to explain the logic behind the decision.
While talking to media persons on the sidelines of condolences meeting held in Budgam to pay tributes to renowned Islamic Scholar and Social Leader Aga Syed Mohammed Fazlullah, Rasheed said that while Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has insulted state flag by taking an extra constitutional step with the full blessings of New Delhi and replaced the state flag with its own flag, what is the fun to declare three day state mourning and announcing that state flag will fly half-mast for three days as a mark of respect to Lonpo.
Rasheed said, ”We all express our sympathies with the family of deceased Leader but it is unacceptable that while LAHDC has never owned the state flag and always insulted it, state Govt. has announced three day state mourning.
Even declaring holiday in entire state carries no sense and it should have been restricted to Ladakh region only. There had been no precedence to observe three day state mourning when any cabinet Minister died when in office, as such breaking the tradition smells something fishy. It seems that New Delhi is simply trying to dictate everything to Mehbooba Mufti government only for the reason it wants to even influence the psyche and the mindset of people of J & K to the extent that the unique identity of the state becomes irrelevant and loses significance”.