Photo courtsey: http://www.mapsofindia.com/
Yesterday I went to a movie after so long. It was a feel good experience to break free once in a while. After settling me in a cozy chair, hubby went to grab eatables. My little angel stirred in my lap indicating that he too wants to munch something. To avoid another screaming session, I indulged him in his favorite past time- Feeding. I thanked the soul who invented Poncho tops which enabled me to feed my kid in public. Suddenly the movie screen flickered and a message came- Kindly stand up for the national anthem. Then I remembered the new Supreme court verdict. With a feeding child on my lap, how am I supposed to stand up. If I disengage his milk source, he will scream louder than any anthem. So I stood up with him attached to my bosom. Thanks to the poncho. I felt ashamed that I was not standing to attention and looked around to see if someone noticed this. I couldn’t say if I was happy or sad to see what I saw.
A gentleman was standing with a tubful of popcorn, needless to say that he was flagrantly masticating his popcorn, but he stood alright? Another guy was standing with his hands folded, but he stood alright? A third person was talking to his friend, but he stood alright? This left me wondering about the purpose of the verdict. By simply standing up, will it show respect. Before imposing such faux pas, an indication on how to conduct oneself in such situations ought to be given.
One should stand to attention. One should never be under the influence of any substance or intoxication and so and so. Who will monitor these things? Who will ensure that the decorum is maintained? Can we dump the responsibilities on the theater authorities?
It is clearly mentioned that,
- Whenever the Anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the Anthem is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the Anthem.
- As in the case of the flying of the National Flag, it has been left to the good sense of the people not to indulge in indiscriminate singing or playing of the Anthem.
My doubt is whether this verdict will lead to reconstitution of constitution of India or is it unconstitutional. I am not the right person to comment on the verdict but I would expect at least some of the citizens who read this post to think about the real respect and disrespect. By simply standing, you are not showing respect to national anthem. If you munch on something, or talk or or stand in any other posture than attention or even sing national anthem along with the played song, you are showing disrespect.
P.S: I have no idea about how a differently abled person or a mother who is carrying her child should conduct themselves. If anyone know about it , kindly enlighten me.
Jai Hind
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