Man In Wheelchair Called 'Pakistani' For Not Standing During National Anthem

GUWAHATI: A wheelchair-bound man was called a "Pakistani" at a cinema hall in Guwahati for failing to stand during the National Anthem. Arman Ali, who helps run an NGO, had taken his nephew and nieces for a matinee show of Lucknow Central last week. They were seated in one of the front rows. As others got up when the National Anthem played, he straightened up as a mark of respect. However, towards the end, he heard a few men at the back say, "Saamne ek Pakistani baitha hai (A Pakistani is sitting in front)". "I felt humiliated," he said. He spoke about his experience on Facebook, in which he likened the practice to "pseudo nationalism". "How could they call me a Pakistani? I didn't get into an argument with them as I had children with me. I stayed quiet. I wonder how many people would have supported me had I raised the issue. I am quite aware of the dangers of mob mentality," Arman Ali, executive director of Shishu Sarothi, told NDTV. He didn't take up the issue with the management of the multiplex nor does he plan to file a complaint. But he definitely wants to initiate a dialogue. "I am planning to write to the Chief Justice of India," he said. Mr Ali has cerebral palsy and he uses a wheelchair for mobility. Recalling a similar experience last year, when he had gone to watch Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, he said he stayed out of the hall and didn't enter till the film started. "When the National Anthem played, as part the film, everybody got up. I felt uncomfortable when people looked at me. It's pointless. Singing National Anthem inside a cinema hall doesn't make you patriotic. But such comments surely make others feel vulnerable. According to me, this practice needs to be done away with," he said. The Supreme Court, in November last, made it mandatory for cinemas to play the national anthem before every screening and for everyone in the audience to stand up and show their respect. A week after its verdict, the top court did exempt persons with disabilities from standing up. "At our organisation, where we closely work with people with disabilities in all seven northeastern states, we sing our National Anthem every day. I don't think we need to prove our patriotism by standing inside a cinema hall." In October, 2016, paralysis survivor, author, poet and disability activist Salil Chaturvedi was assaulted at a cinema hall in Goa for not standing up during national anthem. Mr Chaturvedi had also severely questioned the practice, saying, "My brother is a gallantry award winner, my dad was in the Air Force, we know what patriotism is".