SC exempts differently-abled from standing during national anthem

SC exempts differently-abled from standing during national anthem

The Supreme Court on November 30 had ordered that all the cinema halls in India 

play the national anthem before the start of the film.

By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Updated: December 9, 2016 8:09 pm

Differently-abled persons will now be exempt from standing up during the National Anthem. (File Photo)

The Supreme Court on Friday granted exemption to differently-abled persons from standing during the National Anthem. The order was passed by Justice Dipak Misra. This development comes days after the apex court had ordered that “all the cinema halls in India shall play the national anthem before the feature film starts and all present in the hall are obliged to stand up to show respect to the national anthem” as a part of their “sacred obligation”.

Supreme Court Makes Playing National Anthem At Theaters Mandatory

 

“The directions are issued, for love and respect for the motherland is reflected when one shows respect to the National Anthem as well as to the National Flag. That apart, it would instil the feeling within one, a sense committed patriotism and nationalism,” said the bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy, giving 10 days for compliance with its direction.

The court, however, said that physically disabled must show “some such gesture” to express their respect for anthem.It also clarified that doors of theatres need not be bolted when the National Anthem is played.

“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…

“Another aspect needs to be cleared. When we said that the doors shall be closed, we did not mean that the doors shall be bolted as mentioned in the case of Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi vs. Uphaar Tragedy Victims Association and Ors….but only to regulate the ingress and egress during the period while the National Anthem is played,” the bench said.

The clarification came after an organiser of an international film festival in Kerala moved the apex court seeking exemption from the November 30 on the ground that it would cause inconvenience to its 1,500 foreign guests.

The decision drew mixed reactions with many calling it a move to force patriotism among people while some believed that it would inculcate patriotic feelings for the country. Some activists had even campaigned for the exemption of differently-abled persons. The decision stirred up reactions with many on social media demanding the anthem to be played not just in cinema halls but in Parliament, courts and state Assemblies as well.

The matter is now fixed for hearing on February 14, 2017.

(With inputs from PTI)

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