New Delhi, March 12: Home Ministry sources indicated here today that there was no question of permitting any State to have its own flag. The national flag is the only one that could fly atop certain buildings in all the States and this practice is in conformity with the spirit behind having a national flag, and a National Anthem.
The plea of Tamil Nadu, that it would continue to press for a separate flag, is stated to be not in conformity with the accepted view that the States in the country are but integral parts of the nation and they cannot have their own flags which would only promote fissiparous tendencies. Home Ministry sources also said that the demand for State autonomy has nothing to do with the demand for a separate flag and the latter could not be accepted under any circumstances.
The whole subject has come into focus consequent on the decision taken by the Tamil Nadu Government to remove the national flag from the building of the Inspector-General’s Office and fly instead the police standard with the State emblem on it. It has been said by the Home Ministry sources that the IG’s office has never been included in the list of buildings on which the national flag could ordinarily fly. The circular, which was sent to the States sometime ago, stating the position on the use of the national flag was just the one that was originally issued in 1958.
Published – March 13, 2025 12:15 am IST