Kanhaiya gets bail, court gives a Bollywood lesson on patriotism

The courtroom hearing JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar's bail plea in a sedition case offered drama fit for a Bollywood scene when the judge presiding over the case turned to a Hindi film song for a lesson on patriotism, whilst she issued the order for the PhD scholar's release.

The order by senior judge Pratibha Rani quotes lyrics from the Independence Day favourite 'Mere desh ki dharti' written for Manoj Kumar's film Upkaar by poet Indeevar.

Interestingly, the song quoted by Judge Rani celebrates freedom heroes like Bhagat Singh, Tagore and Gandhi, all considered anti-national under the British Raj, and compares them to the diverse colours and seasons that make up the beauty of India. The judge, drawing inspiration from Indeevar's words, asked why the colour of peace was eluding JNU and its students this season and went on to call Kanhaiya's act an infection that must not turn into an epidemic.

Will protesters pay heed to the impassioned lesson on patriotism?