Disabled People Exempted From Standing During National Anthem In Movie Halls

The Supreme Court has exempted six categories of disabled people from standing when the national anthem is played in theatres.

BCCL

These include people suffering from cerebral palsy, Parkinson disease, muscular dystrophy and other categories of disability.?

In November the Supreme Court had made it mandatory to play national anthem in movie halls before every screening with the image of the national flag displayed on the screen.?

BCCL

Delivering the order, the SC had observed that standing up for the national anthem in movie halls will "instil a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism" in people's minds.

It had later clarified people need not stand up if the national anthem was played as part of the film. The verdict had however resulted in a number of people who refused to stand up for the national anthem being physically attacked by fellow movie goers.?

BCCL

In a number of cases, people with disabilities and those with small children and elderly people also faced the wrath of people trying to enforce patriotism.

On Tuesday the apex court issued a notice to the centre on the plea seeking Vande Mataram to be made mandatory in schools. The court has given the government four weeks time to respond in the matter.