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Couple of weeks back, I read about an interesting dramatization of an incident [via India Uncut] in an Indian theater. Like I have heard, the national anthem plays during a movie showing and this has led to usually apathetic response on one side and totally ‘violent’ responses on the other. I still do not understand the necessity of playing the national anthem during a movie but I guess, the concept sells well for the nationalistic lobby that believes that we could do with a little dose of patriotism occasionally. In previous days, we stood for the national anthem during school assemblies and on the Independence day. We learnt that we are supposed to stand up when the anthem was played, we shouldn’t talk or indulge in any disruptive behavior, and the ‘official’ anthem should last 54 (or was it 52?) seconds. Students respected the anthem and anyone found disrespecting the anthem by either not standing up or talking was sneered/ criticized by their peers. A social deterrent kept the patriotism ‘alive’, if at all that was the objective. You rather not incur the wrath of your classmates whom you interacted with everyday by appearing to disrespect the anthem. If you felt that those ’54 seconds’ could be used more efficiently, you kept those views to yourself in fear of being chastisized as a traitor.
Now cut to the scene of a theater playing the national anthem. You are amongst people you are unlikely to know at a personal level or even meet again. Especially if you are a teenager, you would rather do something that is usually not done. Nobody intends to ‘disrespect’ the country, they are simply making a statement – you cannot making me stand for a song. Of course, they hardly care about the opinions of people around them. People around them are shocked to see such blatant disrespect for ‘freedom that we fought for and you youngsters have no respect for’. They respond by asking them to stand up. Ones that do not want any conflict from an incensed majority comply, others simply want to create a nuisance and refuse. That is when all hell breaks loose. Everyone forgets that the national anthem is still playing and get busy in making the arrogant teenagers stand and ‘respect the national anthem’. Occasionally, a celebrity gets involved and slaps the perpetrator for ‘disrespecting elders’ (a whole different issue) and the news makes headlines. The young generation gets unanimously criticized for being apathetic towards the country and soon everyone between the ages of 12-25 is painted with an unpatriotic brush. SwB doesn’t feel any more patriotic by singing the national anthem and as he observes neither do many people in cinema halls.
I would ask those incensed people to cool down. You cannot impose patriotism on anyone; even if you do you are not achieving your objectives of instilling ‘desh prem’. If you respect your anthem then stand up and stay mum. Let the trouble makers be; simply report them to the authorities (if they indulge in foul language and bad behavior) at the end of the anthem. Not standing for a national anthem is a personal choice as well as a personal statement. They are responsible for the social consequences. After all, it is just a matter of 54 seconds.
by Patrix | on Tuesday, July 19th, 2005 at 2:00 pm | 
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July 19th, 2005 at 3:14 pm reply
Yup! Apparently, exercising the freedom that our ancestors fought and died for is a disrespect to them! But forcing somebody to stand up during National Anthem against his/her wishes is actually respecting our revolutionary leaders. This is cruel joke indeed!
A while back a man was arrested in my home town, Akola, when he didn’t not stand while our National Anthem was being played in a cinema hall. Pathetic!
July 19th, 2005 at 3:21 pm reply
Well, while people have the freedom to stand or not stand for the anthem, those of us who do stand (& proudly) are not required to show much respect to those who decline to stand. In fact, this blogger has only contempt for the latter.
July 19th, 2005 at 6:05 pm reply
I view those that do not stand for the national anthem with contempt as well but I do not believe that me forcing them to do so isn’t going to make them any more patriotic. My patriotism is manifested through my actions and not dependent on others. But I believe in SwB’s brand of patriotism as well.
July 20th, 2005 at 1:54 am reply
Honestly,
I’m still trying to figure out why they play the national anthem before movies in maharashtra anyway…Is it just to ensure we don’t turn into traitors after watching a movie? Honestly, if they did this in other parts of the world too, I’m willing to wager you would get the same ‘disrespectful’ behaviour. Hammering the national anthem into my head is not going to make me forget that right outside the movie hall there are still one gazillion slums and cows wading through garbage. If the previous generations had helped get rid of them, maybe the young people of today would be more respectful of the anthem (or not). That being said, I subscribe to Patrix view. My patriotism is personal (and other people’s is not, especially when I attack them for it, under the guise of an anonymous poster :-p)
July 20th, 2005 at 2:41 am reply
I agree that singing National Anthem is a bit over the top.
but come it is hardly a outrage against personal freedom that, it is being made out to be.
Just think of this as a minor tribute to pur founding father’s instead of as a waste of time.
July 20th, 2005 at 6:06 am reply
I agree with you that one cannot force patriotism on another. People, mostly younger ones, will learn more by example than by criticism.
July 20th, 2005 at 9:19 am reply
52 minutes, it is….
July 20th, 2005 at 10:37 am reply
I totally disagree with the idea behind this post. I personally think its a great thing that they are playing the national anthem. If someone doesn’t like it, go in late. Some things are just inherently right…like respecting your parents, not hurting living beings, or respecting your country and it’s song. Granted that we can’t expect everyone to follow these inherent laws…but suggesting that those who don’t are somehow entitled to do so is ridiculous. Just because you can’t live up to the ideal, don’t drag the ideal down to your level.
(the “you” here is generic Patzu, means all of us)
July 20th, 2005 at 11:05 am reply
Yogu, Nope I disagree with those that don’t chose to stand during the national anthem too and will give them my fiercest look. But at the same time, I will not waste my time forcing them to stand either. Whether playing the national anthem before each movie is right or not depends on the objectives they (the authorities) have in mind for this move.
July 21st, 2005 at 7:54 am reply
Symbolism is the last refuge for people who have no real issues to fight for. And equating an entire country with a song or a piece of cloth is just irrational. Just as irrational as equating an entire religion with a bunch of papers.
July 21st, 2005 at 9:18 am reply
As someone told me in a different context….
Never misunderestimate the power of symbols…