NC leader questions controversy over raising of Pak flags

Amid a controversy over repeated incidents of Pakistani flags being raised in Kashmir, senior National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal today questioned why the central government gets "perturbed" over it and suggested that India should "respect" the neighbour's flag.
"What difference would raising Pakistani flags make? Now the government of India is getting restless, getting more perturbed. It is being done deliberately," said Kamal, former minister in Jammu and Kashmir and brother of National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah.
"This is a flag of an independent nation of Pakistan. India has to respect it. India and Pakistan both are signatory to the United Nations's charter and they have to respect each others' flags. Pakistani flag is not just a piece of cloth, the flag of Jammu and Kashmir is not a piece of paper, the flag of India is not a piece of paper, they all have their respects," the additional general secretary of the opposition party told reporters here.

His comments come amid the controversy over repeated incidents of Pakistani flags being hoisted at rallies of separatists in Kashmir. This has caused unease in the central government, particularly since BJP is a partner in PDP-led Jammu and Kashmir government.
"The central government also cannot escape the blame. These tactics are being employed to fuel fire in the hearts of non-muslims in India against the Muslims, especially against the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Kamal said.
The NC leader said it was "not enough" to point out who is hoisting the Pakistani flags as there are "agencies" working in the state since the eruption of militancy to "defame" the people of the state.

"There are agencies working here (in the state) since the eruption of militancy so as to defame the residents and to level allegations against each other so that they get an opportunity to flex their muscles on the people," he said.