The NC Member of Parliament who sat during the national anthem at Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in ceremony is under investigation.

J&K police on Thursday (October 17, 2024) guarded a National Congress (NC) legislator who was allegedly sitting during the playing of the national anthem at the swearing-in of the new J&K government on Wednesday in Srinagar. A ruling party lawmaker cited “medical issues.”

The police spokesperson said that they noticed an incident where a person did not stand up during the national anthem. “A preliminary investigation by the Superintendent of Police under Section 173 (3) of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) has been initiated, and the electronic evidence is being analyzed to take legal action,” the police said.

The police, however, did not name the NC member in the statement.

NC legislator Hilal Akbar Lone, who won from Sonawari district in north Kashmir, was reportedly seen sitting during the playing of the national anthem on Wednesday. He said he had health problems.

“I did not intend to disrespect the national anthem, and as a member of the legislature I would not do that. I swear by the Constitution of India. Why should anyone be suspicious? I had good health reasons for sitting down. I had back pain and could not stand for a long time,” said Mr Lone.

He said it is not a crime to sit down when the national anthem is played. “There is a decision of the Supreme Court that it is not a crime to sit down during the singing of the national anthem,” he added.

The new government was sworn in by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) on Wednesday.