To stand or not to stand, Supreme Court decides

It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court has kept mum on what the differently abled citizens ought to do while the National Anthem plays in theatres.

The Supreme court on Wednesday passed an order on an issue that has been topic of debates for years in India. If one is to go by previous instances, the order is likely to create confusion, chaos and fights as against evoking feeling of patriotism.

A 31 year old man was thrashed by gang in October 2014 after he defended his South-African friend who didn't rise while the National Anthem was being played in a cinema hall in Mumbai. He filed a complaint but a case was never registered.

In August 2014, the Kerala police arrested a 25 year old man for not standing up even as the National anthem played in a theatre. The police claimed that Salman and his 6 friends had disrespected the National Anthem and charged him under sedition law.

In November 2015, a family was booed and asked to leave a cinema hall for refusing to stand during the National Anthem. Others in the cinema hall refused to relent until the family was ushered away.

Bollywood actor Preity Zinta in October 2014, proudly claimed on her social media platform that she had to get a boy thrown out of a movie hall after he refused to stand up for the National Anthem. The tweet got criticisms and appreciations alike.

There have been multiple instances as such over the years. Wednesday's order by the Supreme Court is likely to lead to more such instances. It is also noteworthy that the Supreme Court has kept mum on what the differently abled citizens ought to do while the National Anthem plays in theatres. Will patriotism be lost in the chaos and confusion that will prevail?

OneIndia News