Film fest organisers divided about playing national anthem
Afew days back six people were detained because they did not stand up when the Indian national anthem was played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram. And Delhi’s expat community and film festival organisers say this is indeed surprising.
While some agree that the Supreme Court ruling about playing the national anthem before the start of a film is correct, others feel patriotism can’t be forced on citizens. Ram Kishore Parcha, founder of Delhi International film Festival says, “Even before snide remark on her alma mater, Gargi College. I say ‘Oh Gargi, which college is this? Where is it?’ Huma and I have a very different relationship with each other. It’s not like any other sibling relationship, we’re more like very good friends. the Supreme Court ordered, we played the national anthem in the beginning and concluding day of our festival. This time around 10,000 people stood up including ambassadors of different countries.” However, Harsh Agarwal, organiser of the Delhi Queer International Theatre Film Festival says, “It is fundamentally wrong. You can’t force patriotism on people. If I will organise the film festival next year, I won’t play it before the screenings.”
Jitendra Mishra, director of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth that caters to the age group of film lovers in the age group of five to 25 years says, “We should respect the decision and I will surely play it from the next time but before that, there will be an announcement so that expats who are not aware of the rule can also stand up.”
Expats in the city don’t mind standing up during the anthem, but prefer an announcement. Henry Coelho from France says, “I have been living in the city for more than two years and attend almost all film festivals here. I am aware of the Indian national anthem and about the recent ruling. However for expats new to India, making an announcement before the anthem, will be helpful.”