States can have their own flags, says Shashi Tharoor

Bengaluru: Attending Dr Ambedkar International Conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, commenting on the Karnataka flag issue, said “There is no objection to each state having its own flag. It is not anti-national or a substitute to the Indian flag, but merely a celebration. It only has to remain smaller and flown lower than the Indian flag. In fact, Kashmir already has its own flag.” He slammed the Centre’s imposition of Hindi on all states. “People from Hindi states should learn other languages from South India. Bollywood has brought Hindi to our homes, but the government should understand that states deal with their own mother tongue. English is useful in governance and judiciary, as India is a mix of various tongues,” the former UN diplomat said.

On the investigation into the suspicious death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, he said, “No one in this country can be more anxious than me to know the truth and to see constructive and clear conclusion from the investigation.”

“My responsibility is to cooperate with the authorities and not with obstreperous and publicity seeking attempts by others,” he said, referring to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea for a court-monitored CBI-led SIT probe into Ms Pushkar’s death.

On the China issue, he said that the situation is of great sensitivity, with security implications for the country. “There is no question that when the status quo was disturbed, it was not by us. The Chinese troops attempted to build their road here. They must withdraw their position to what it was before June 16,” he declared.

“It is rather important that if there is an accommodation that is reached, it is one that respects the way things were prior to June 16,” he said.