Srinagar, Aug. 15 -- Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Friday strongly reacted to CM Omar Abdullah's Independence Day announcement of launching a statehood signature campaign, warning against "making a mockery" of the cause and urging a dignified, constitutional route.

"We will support any movement towards statehood. But please don't make a mockery of statehood. We are already reeling under the impact of a 'Tom, Dick and Harry' approaching the Supreme Court. Let us approach the Supreme Court as a constitutional entity, not as another 'Tom, Dick and Harry.' Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity," Lone wrote on microblogging site X.

He challenged Omar to "once and for all" explain his reluc...