October 25, 2017
Don't test anyone's patriotism by making it mandatory for
cinema halls to play the national anthem, say film fraternity members who feel
respect for the "Jana gana mana" should be natural.
The Supreme Court on
Monday directed the Centre to take a call on the playing of the national anthem
in public places, including cinema halls.
The wording of a November 2016
order on the issue might be modified so that cinema halls "may" -- instead of
"shall" -- play the national anthem before the start of movies.
This
sparked a debate, leading film fraternity members like Kamal Haasan, Javed
Akhtar and Raj Nayak, to express their opinion.
Here's what they had
tweeted:
Javed Akhtar: Something is seriously wrong with those Indians
who don't get touched and don't feel any reverence when they hear the national
anthem. It really pains me that some people are trying to undermine the dignity
of our national anthem.
Kamal Haasan: Singapore plays its national anthem
every midnight. Likewise, do so on DD. Do not force or test my patriotism at
various random places.
Arvind Swami: I will always stand up for our
national anthem and sing along, which I do with great pride. Never understood
why it was mandatory and cinema halls only.
Adnan Sami: Hey, it's the
national anthem; GET UP... PERIOD! Go argue about something else! 'Where' the
national anthem should play is another matter; but whenever or wherever it is
played, get up and respect it. From the heart -- Not sleeve!
Vivek
Agnihotri: If I remember correctly, in the 1970s and even in the 1980s, national
anthem played at the end of the movie and everyone stood without questioning it.
Today, we question everything even if it's not disputable.
Ananth
Mahadevan: The 60s: All stood respectfully for the national anthem played after
the movie. No discussion. Today: everything has to be an issue!
Raj
Nayak: Before this order, I used to find people willingly standing up for the
national anthem and singing happily. Making it mandatory ruined it.
Raghu Ram: I stand up for the national anthem because I give it the love and
respect that it is due. Not because some government forces me to.