What's wrong in a state flag: Shashi Tharoor

Bengaluru: “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,” said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, commenting on the Karnataka flag issue at the Dr Ambedkar International Conference on Sunday.

Sunanda probe
On the probe into the suspicious death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, he said that the family is in deep need of closure, which they sadly have not received. “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 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.     

Don’t impose Hindi on states: Tharoor
Slamming the Centre’s imposition of Hindi on all states, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, “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 tongues. English is useful in governance and judiciary as India is a mix of various tongues.”

On the India-China issue, Mr Tharoor said here on Sunday 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, adding that India is not interested in escalation but a peaceful, diplomatic outcome.

"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.

Speaking about the agenda of the Dr. Ambedkar International Conference, he said, “A Bengaluru declaration will lay forward the future steps in society and polity, to improve life of marginalised and oppressed people. This will ensure the discussions reach the grassroots, so minorities can demand their rights in a fair way and not feel excluded."

He also briefly touched upon Kashmir, citing that there were no big terror attacks after 26/11 but the region continues to bleed with multiple small attacks in Uri, Nagrota and Pathankot.

20-year-old Shalini Sharma, hailing from Kashmir and studying in Bengaluru, asked Mr Tharoor, “Why are all national institutions in Kashmir and not Jammu, when we are one state? Students cannot even study as strikes go on for months. We want a separate state for Jammu.”

Mr Tharoor said, “Article 370 does not permit laws passed by the central govt to apply in Jammu and Kashmir, unless their assembly passes it. Ultimately, only they can decide as J&K has a special status."

Shalini told Deccan Chronicle, “If India lose against Pakistan in cricket, Kashmiris celebrate. If India win, they protest and hoist the Pak flag. Protests go on, schools shut and we return to Jammu.”