A video of a Muslim family being forced out of a cinema hall, reportedly at a PVR in Mumbai, went viral on social media on Monday morning. According to reports, the family was bullied into leaving the theatre for not standing while the national anthem was being played before the start of the movie.
In the video, the man is seen refusing to stand up as the anthem played, stating that he didn't want to stand. However, he later changed his statement saying that he had a knee problem. The crowd however becomes increasingly unruly with him and the man and his family are forced out of the theatre.
The family of four left after an official of the theatre persuaded them to leave and the screening started after the movie. In the video, people are heard to cheer and clap as the family left the hall.
You can watch the video here
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs orders relating to the national anthem of India, “Whenever the Anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the Anthem is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the Anthem.” However, there is no legal punishment for violating this order.
As the video went viral, people were seen taking on Twitter to express their support to the family, or the mob.
Some were mostly seen bashing the man who refused to stand up.
#PVR cinema incident of crowd throwing Muslim family out of cinema hall for refusing to stand during national anthem is totally justified.
— RK (@rohit2250) November 30, 2015
Muslim family disrespected the nation in PVR Cinema mumbai How intolarant our nation is still this family lives in india
— AshishMishra (@aashish81us) November 30, 2015
This is the way anti nationals should be treated publically. Muslim family asked to leave PVR theatre in... https://t.co/HlqGgNFipl
— Vinay Pratap Singh (@thinkervinay) November 29, 2015
Kudos to the Indians who Kicked out Muslim Family for disrespecting National Anthem
— The Kernel (@thekernelspeaks) November 30, 2015While there were people who felt it wasn’t that wrong of the man.
Muslim Family Not Stand For The National Anthem In PVR Theater Let's see... https://t.co/uCvjqmAOe8
— Mr. Prateek Malhotra (@pmmrcool) 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
Whose utterly foolish idea was it to have the national anthem played in movie halls? This is the kind of thing Orwell would write about.
— Siddharth Singh (@siddharth3) November 30, 2015
I stand for the National anthem and I also stand by the people who don't. A movie theatre isn't a place to show your Patriotism.
— गर्म Samosa (@AsNiceAsYou) November 30, 2015
IDK about you but all I really feel when I'm forced to stand up for the National Anthem before a movie is irritation at the government.
— Anuya (@effyourstylist) November 30, 2015