The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to name government schools and hospitals after martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
The PIL also sought implementation of awareness programmes in schools to educate children about the sacrifices made by martyrs and cultural events to honor them.
The court, comprising Justices Sanjeev Kumar and Sanjay Dhar, held that naming institutions after martyrs or statesmen is a policy matter for the government, and the court cannot issue directions in this regard.
The judges also noted that the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages already organizes cultural events and seminars on Independence Day and Republic Day, and it’s best left to the experts in the field to decide on the programs.
The court gave the petitioner liberty to file a detailed representation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, expressing concerns about the alleged neglect by the state in honoring martyrs.
The court hopes that the representation will be considered in line with existing policies, and necessary measures will be taken