Here's Why 'Not' Standing Up For Our National Anthem Makes As Much Sense As Standing Up For It
Should I be writing this at all? I wonder. Will I be declared unpatriotic or an anti- national? Never mind. I will stand for what I’ve always stood for — the freedom of expression, of believing in the idea of India and yes, the national anthem.
It was almost anti-climactic when in the middle of a TV studio, I’d stand up as the national anthem was played out while we covered the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 or the Prime Minister’s speech on August 15. But then, seeing me, some of my colleague started and in my last organization, no matter how pressing the assignment, the entire newsroom was on its feet wherever they were for that minute when the national anthem played out.
Yes. I believe respecting the national anthem or our flag is respecting the idea of India. The anthem isn’t words — otherwise why would we sing with great gusto ‘Punjab, Sindh’ — most of these areas as known to the composer of this anthem — now lie in another country. Should we then change these words too? Not in the very least. Because inherent in these words is the idea that India was, is and, I dearly hope, will remain.
That includes tolerance for those who don’t stand up for the national anthem. Personally, I have no idea why the national anthem needs to be played at a theatre before a Bollywood pot-boiler is about to be screened. It just doesn’t add up. What is sillier still is that you are thrown out of a theatre for it?
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