The caustic attack by TV news anchors, columnists and a jurist on the Supreme Court judgment to compulsorily play the National Anthem in cinema halls before the start of a film in no way echoes the sentiment or opinion of the Indian population. Their attack only demonstrates their revolting mindset.
What repulsion may befall a person if she pays homage to the National Anthem by standing for 52 seconds before a movie? Surely, this is not the first instance when the Supreme Court has vowed to uphold the fundamental duties enshrined in Article 51A of the Constitution. This ought not to be the last.
Singing the anthem within manageable and reasonable precincts, as was done in theatres in the 60s and early 70s, instills nationalistic pride irrespective of race, creed, colour, caste, sex or religion. Practices followed elsewhere in the world lend support to the top court’s directions.
In Mexico all schools and universities are supposed to honour the national flag. A regulation was passed in Tokyo requiring school and board officials to record the names of teachers, who did not stand and sing the National Anthem; in Italy, citizens are required to stand and show respect to any National Anthem. In Thailand, where love for the National Anthem is fervid than most other countries, it is played every day on TV at 8 am and 6 pm; it is also played regularly in government offices and before film screenings. In the United States, the convention is clear: Whenever the National Anthem is played, all individuals should face the flag/the source of music and stand at attention with their right hand over their hearts.
This game of “freedom of my freedom” may prove catastrophic for the people of India because a person might use it as a ruse to not take medication, drive his daughter to school or start his
morning rituals.
Pranav Chawla via email
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