Disabled must be still, alert during anthem, rules say

NEW DELHI: People on crutches and in wheelchairs should remain still and maintain “maximum possible alertness physically” when the national anthem is played in movie halls or public functions, say government guidelines for those with disabilities.

Issued by the Union home ministry on December 21, the guidelines also spell out how deaf and blind people or those with mild intellectual disabilities should show respect to the anthem.

A copy of the advisory was sent to the Supreme Court registrar.

The advisory follows the court’s order in November that all cinemas must play the anthem before a film is screened and moviegoers should stand up and remain still through the length of the 52-second-long Jana Gana Mana.

The court modified its order on December 9, exempting people with physical disabilities from standing up. Also, it directed the government to issue guidelines in 10 days on how such people should “show respect” to the anthem.

The government then came up with the advisory. Those with a hearing disability “shall stand with attentiveness”. “… there must be appropriate indication on the screen that the national anthem is being played or sung as persons with hearing disability are likely to miss the auditory cues,” the advisory says. HTC