The second flag
26 January 2010, 08:04 AM IST

In our republic, which boasts of one nation, one people and one union, we have two flags. One for India and the other for Kashmir.

No one asks why?

If the mere picture of a foreign national irks, embarrasses and makes the government apologetic, should a flag, put on a par, parallel to the flag of our republic for which we swear to live and die, make us happy and proud?



We hardly know about it. A piece that has to be displayed on the bonnets of the Ambassador cars the governor, the chief minister, the Union home minister or even the Prime Minister uses to negotiate a Kashmir road. Suddenly there are two flags, two people, two lands. And still one republic? A seperate flag and wanting to be more seperate?

Whose flag is it, any way? They say it's Kashmir's flag. So why don’t our rulers hoist it too in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi? A bit red-faced, they say it’s just for Kashmir.