Childhood is when we learnt the basic rules of life. Not to talk to strangers, not to waste food and also to stand when the national anthem is played. Last year when Justice Dipak Mishra made it a must that our national anthem must be played in the cinemas before the start of every movie, many Bengalureans had mixed reactions.
In an attempt to modify this rule the Supreme Court has given out new verdicts that “No need to stand at cinemas to prove patriotism.” Patriotism for the country needs to come from the heart and should not be demanded. In a conversation with few Bengalureans we get their reactions regarding the same.
Nikita Miriam, a city based management professional says, “I fully agree with the verdict of the Supreme Court. Firstly, the anthem should not be played in cinema halls where people go for relaxation and entertainment. I have always noticed that people are scrambling around to pick stuff up so they can get up in time for the anthem. This results in people dropping valuables and sometimes even forgetting them. Proving your patriotism in a theatre is uncalled for. There are other ways to show patriotism and respect for the country.”
City-based professional Hiteshh SC says, “There is no patriotism in standing up for the national anthem in a cinema hall. The youth today should be taught about the importance and meaning of standing up for the national anthem rather than forcing them to stand up. Rather than being played at movie theatres, I think it’s important for schools to teach children the importance and meaning of the national anthem, and of what patriotism means.”
Patriotism and respect can also be shown when it is called for, like at sport meets etc, not at movie halls where it is the last thing on your mind. City-based HR personnel Sharon Dinesh says, “I am very happy with the verdict of the Supreme Court as I feel that it is an inconvenience. It is not necessary to play the national anthem at cinemas. People go to theatres to watch movies and not pay respects to the country. When we stand up for the national anthem, it means we are giving respect to the country, and I think a theatre is in no way connected to patriotism.”
City-based sociologist Sudhansubala Sahu says, “The first thing I didn’t understand is why was it made necessary for people to stand in order to show their patriotism. The verdict that was given by the Supreme Court is a positive move. People go to theatres for entertainment and we need not show our patriotism in a theatre. There are better places where we can show our patriotism towards our country. I was not particularly in favour of the first verdict also, so I feel that what the Supreme Court has done now is right.”
