Slow clap: Centre to issue guidelines on how differently abled should respect the national anthem
If there was ever a country that was insecure about its national identity to the point of absurdity, it’s ours. A pointless draconian rule that existed only in the state of Maharashtra up until last month became a reality for all of the nation when the Supreme Court on November 30 announced that the national anthem must be played in all movie theatres, across the country, before movie screenings.
The panel noted that everyone present in the theatre must rise and pay respect to the national anthem while it is being played, during which, the national flag would 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 decision was met with equal amounts of support and criticism. On one hand, there were the age-old arguments that stated why anyone should feel badly or feel bothered about respecting the national anthem. Additionally, people stated that it would only be a matter of 52 seconds and complaining about that is a liberal trend.
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| Everyone respects the national anthem. But why this Supreme Court-backed coersion? [Photo: Indiatoday.in] |
On the other end of the spectrum lay those arguing coercion, state-backed nationalist pills for the masses and just general freedom of choice. There were also those who pointed out the number of times people abused and assaulted others for not living up to their standards of nationalistic pride.
One of the more prominent examples given was that of Salil Chaturvedi. A writer and disability rights activist, the wheelchair-bound Chaturvedi was assaulted for not standing up during the national anthem in a theatre in Goa.
The kind of blinding nationalism that makes people beat up a wheelchair-bound man for not standing during the national anthem, is something that needs to be kept in check. But alas, the Supreme Court saw otherwise.
Fortunately, they announced on Friday, December 9, that the physically disabled are exempt from this rule. But it comes with a caveat. According to a Hindustan Times report, the Supreme Court said that while the physically disabled need not stand up, they would need need to ‘show conduct’ which would exhibit respect for the national anthem in cinema halls, and the Centre would have to issue guidelines in ten days on how handicapped persons should show respect to the national anthem.
“As the guidelines are going to be issued, we clarify, if a physically challenged person or physically handicapped person goes to the cinema hall to watch a film, he need not stand up, if he is incapable to stand, but must show such conduct which is commensurate with respect for the national anthem” the order passed by a bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy said.
The need to set guidelines for how the physically disabled out to show respect to the national anthem is as asinine as it gets. It is also a bit rich coming from the same Supreme Court, which outright dismissed a petition that sought to make the national anthem mandatory before the start of court proceedings, saying its order should not be “overstretched”.
What a time to be alive, isn’t it?