Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution and separate flag unlike other states under special status.

"All the Constitutional Authorities are enjoined upon to maintain the sanctity of the State Flag, at all costs, as is being done in respect of the Union Flag", Commissioner Secretary to Government, General Administration Department (GAD), J&K, M A Bukhari said in the circular.

He said, "the Flag shall always be hoisted jointly on the buildings housing Constitutional Institutions and shall be used on the official cars of Constitutional Authorities".

Any deviation in this regard shall amount to insult to the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Insult to State Honors Act, 1979, he said.

J-K Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Nirmal Singh said,"It was surprising for us, including the Chief Minister [Mufti Mohammad Sayeed] that a circular has been issued with regard to the state flag. We don't know who did it. That is why the circular was withdrawn."

An official spokesman said, "The draft of the circular was not approved by the Competent Authority before issue of the same on 12th March, 2015 and as such stands withdrawn with immediate effect".

"Appropriate administrative action will be taken after enquiry into the circumstances leading to the issuing of this circular", he added.

Coming out against the circular, Congress said, "From day one PDP is the stick holder. It is pushing its agenda on Kashmir. BJP seems to have compromised on its basic ideology."

"BJP has surrendered to the PDP.... PM owes an explanation as he strongly batted for patriotism in Parliament a few days back," Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Dr Rashid Choudhary told reporters here.

"With the Mufti government's advisory pertaining the state flag BJP stands exposed before the people of Jammu region and the country for its double standards," he said.

BJP, however, sought to downplay the controversy and said that some political parties were making a "mountain out of a molehill."