Not music to our ears
It is now mandatory to play the anthem in cinema halls. This could well undermine its patriotic appeal
The simple act of going to see a movie has now got an additional touch of patriotism. The Supreme Court has ruled that the national anthem must be played before the screening of any movie at public theatres and also banned the printing of any part of the 52-second song on any “undesirable” object. What exactly constitutes “undesirable” has not been made clear. The national anthem is already played before movies in some states — such as Maharashtra — but the measure has often led to controversy with instances of people being harassed for not standing up for the anthem. We wonder where next we might be required to display our patriotic credentials.
It is no one’s case that the national anthem or flag not be shown due respect but a movie theatre seems hardly the place to reiterate one’s patriotism. There is a real danger in overusing potent national symbols in different, often mundane situations. This could well undermine their appeal and effectiveness as a tool for inspiring nationalism and patriotism. In the sixties, after the India-china war, it was mandatory for cinema halls to play the national anthem after every movie. But Indians being famous for their indiscipline, many would leave the theatre even as the stirring strains were playing. This disrespect led to the practice being discontinued.
We have seen instances of a disabled person being targeted for not standing up in a theatre which played the anthem. We saw reports of a “Muslim” family being asked to leave a theatre for not standing up for the national anthem. If anything, playing the anthem in a theatre where many people are not disciplined enough to stand up in time for the anthem could lead to the uber patriots and self-styled moral police needlessly attacking perceived offenders as they are wont to do on several issues like the oddly termed love jihad and cattle protection. Of course, now that the apex court has ruled, theatres will have no choice but to carry this out. But it promises to be increase the chaos and confusion that we already see in many public spaces. And enforcing this anthem diktat could take away a bit of the enjoyment people might hope to experience while taking in a movie.