Must we stand for SC forcing us to 'respect' national anthem in cinema halls: Twitter reactions

The national anthem must be played in all movie theatres, across the country, before movie screenings, the Supreme Court today directed on Wednesday, November 30.

The panel also noted that everyone present in the theatre must rise and pay respect to the national anthem while it is being played. In addition, the national flag should be shown on screen.

"When the national anthem is played it is imperative for everyone to show honour and respect. It would instil a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism," said the judges.

This moves comes after a petition filed by Bhopal’s Shyam Narayan Chouski, alleged the misuse of the anthem in TV shows and movies. The court also stated that the national anthem should not be commercially exploited or dramatised or printed on objectionable material.

While it has now been made compulsory for the anthem to be played all over India, Maharashtra has been dealing with this since January, 2003, when it was mandated by the erstwhile Nationalist Congress Party's deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal that the anthem has to be played before the screening of any film in the state.

The issue of forced patriotism is not a light one. While it is completely wrong to disrespect the national emblem, flag or anthem, it is also pretty wrong to force people to respect them. These bouts of patriotism have in the past caused serious problems.

Most recently, in October 2016, writer and disability rights activist Salil Chaturvedi, who himself is wheelchair bound, was assaulted for not standing up during the national anthem in a theatre in Goa. One has to imagine just how much of a blind patriot must one have to be to hit a wheelchair bound man because his sense of patriotism got offended?

In 2013, television’s Duryodhan, Puneet Issar and his wife Deepali Issar assaulted a man in a Mumbai theatre for not rising during the national anthem. When the man clarified that he wasn’t Indian and was thus, unaware of the law, the couple threatened to hand him over to the cops.

In 2015, former Bigg Boss contestant Kushal Tandon accused actress Ameesha Patel of not standing up to show respect to the national anthem when it was being played before a movie screening. The actress responded on Twitter by explaining that she was menstruating and if Tandon had that big an issue with it, he should have confronted her there itself.

Sadly enough, these are just the more prominent cases. In reality, there are several other incidents of assault and harassment in the name of patriotism, especially when it comes to the playing of the national anthem in movie theatres. Thanks to this landmark judgment by the apex court, this kind of goon-like behaviour can now find legal support.

The Supreme Court’s decision was met by much disapproval across the social media. From film critics to politicians, this move is being seen by everyone as an attempt to shove patriotism down their collective throats.

Watching a movie in theatre by paying for it digitally is the most patriotic act you can do this weekend.

— dorku (@Dorkstar) November 30, 2016

*National anthem plays*SO PROUD OF COUNTRY I ❤️ IT*4 hours later, Mohenjo Daro ends*Kya stupid desh hai bc aise logo ko paisa milta hai

— Rohan (@mojorojo) November 30, 2016

The #NationalAnthem should play every time an ATM runs out of cash.

— Absinthe Minded (@MinstrelofSound) November 30, 2016

This #NationalAnthem at ATM queues is a stellar idea. Khade toh sab pehle se hi hain.

— Vidya (@VidyaKrishnan) November 30, 2016

Play National Anthem before withdrawing money at the ATM to remind people that they're doing this for their country.

— Sapan Verma (@sapanv) November 30, 2016

Instead of cinema halls, national anthem should be played at ATMs...marzi ho na ho sabko khada rehna padega ????

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) November 30, 2016

There should be a national anthem file attached in all movie torrents: SC

— dorku (@Dorkstar) November 30, 2016

If you sing the National Anthem three times in front of a mirror, Modiji appears and gives you a 100 rupee note.

— Anuya (@anuyeaah) November 30, 2016

What the Supreme Court should mandate is the playing of the National Anthem in Parliament. That is where we need greater unity!

— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) November 30, 2016

If you Shazam the national anthem, Amit Shah himself comes to arrest your seditious ass.

— amrtsh (@floydimus) November 30, 2016

Is it compulsory to also stand for the national anthem if you've downloaded a film on torrents? - Asking for a friend.

— jairaj singh (@JairajSinghR) November 30, 2016

If the PVR near my house doesn't play the National Anthem, I'll just stand up during the Gutkha Mukesh ad. Woh siraf chaubees saal ka tha.

— Akshar (@AksharPathak) November 30, 2016

I anyway stand up for the National Anthem, but from now on, I'll play safe, and stand up for anything National. Even National Panasonic.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) November 30, 2016

Also read - Why is PM Narendra Modi copying Indira Gandhi?