Patriots download Indian anthem every time they torrent a movie: Twitter reacts to family kicked out of theatre
Viral video shows people being kicked out of cinema for not standing during anthem
As if India has not had enough of mob-enforced morality of late, it is now that time of the year when another non-issue is turned into a cultural bone of contention. It is not mandatory to stand while the Indian national anthem is being played, as courts have ruled over the years, with the only expectation being that you "show respect." Yet stories routinely emerge of PVR patriots and assorted cinema-goers keen to assert their status as True Indians, by taking issue with anyone else who isn't standing up for the routine playing of the national anthem before movies in some states.
The video above was uploaded by Sunny S on November 29 and has begun making its way around the internet, as these things do. The Times of India, while unable to verify the actual location of the incident, whether in Bengaluru or Mumbai, did mention that the couple kicked out of the cinema hall for refusing to stand was Muslim. Some reports also mention the people being kicked out as a "couple", while others say it was a family of four.
The video itself shows angry cinema-goers standing around a couple that seems to have refused to stand up for the anthem. One man can audibly be heard threatening to slap one of them. " The man seems to be attempting to reason with the crowd, before eventually deciding to leave the cinema, to applause from everyone else.
This wouldn't be the first time. Not standing for the anthem has prompted celebrity beefs, foreigners kicked and others charged for sedition (although the latter usually tends to happen when they are actively showing disrespect by hooting).
Never one to let one mob hog all the attention, Twitter decided to jump into the fray as well.
Nothing can be more disrespectful to the national anthem than playing it before an Ashoke Pandit or Pahlaj Nihalani film
— IndiaExplained (@IndiaExplained) November 30, 2015
Guy 1: Well, I threw out a family from a movie theater for not standing up for the national anthem, so we're basically the same.
— Overrated Outcast (@over_rated) November 30, 2015
Real question is if i am standing, is it okay to eat popcorn when the national anthem is playing?
— dorku (@Dorkstar) November 30, 2015
True Indians download a clip of national anthem with every movie on PirateBay.
— k (@krazyfrog) November 30, 2015
"My song 'Khada hai, Khada hai' was actually about patriots standing up for National Anthem." - Nirlajj Pahalani
— वरुण (@varungrover) November 30, 2015
It is not an offence to remain seated if the National Anthem plays in a theatre. (Source: https://t.co/aGlBSDoxl2) pic.twitter.com/QL0egzFsNk
— Suprateek Chatterjee (@SupraMario) November 30, 2015
Who decided that the national anthem should be played before a movie? I go to the movies to have fun,not participate in the freedom struggle
— Elephant Man (@ghantahaathi) November 30, 2015
Why can't you stand up for the National Anthem in theatres? Have some respect for UNESCO for voting it the best, 10 years in a row.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 30, 2015
My personal advice is - See National Flag: Salute or look respectfully. Hear National Anthem: Stand up. Meet National Animal: Run away.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) November 30, 2015
Before Prem Ratan Dhan Payo *national anthem plays* *everyone stands up* DON'T WORRY. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. TODAY WE LIVE OR DIE.
— Sahil Shah (@SahilBulla) November 30, 2015