Man on wheelchair claims was called 'Pakistani' for failing to stand up during National Anthem in Guwahati

A disabled man unable to stand during National Anthem was called ‘Pakistani’ during a matinee show of Lucknow Central last week.

The matter came to surface after Arman Ali, who helps run an NGO, wrote on Facebook to showcase his distress over the remarks showered on him at the end of the National Anthem.

Ali on Facebook wrote, “I took my nieces and nephew for a movie. As usual they played the #NationalAnthem before the movie and my niece and nephew stood up.”

He added, “However, since I am a wheelchair user, I did my best by sitting upright. At the end of the Anthem, I heard a comment from behind ‘SAAMNE EK PAKISTANI BAITHA HAI’ (There is a pakistani sitting in the front).”

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He further wrote on the Facebook that his nieces asked him "Have people come from Pakistan to watch this movie? to which I said "Yes, it’s a super hit movie".

“Movie halls seems to have become the new battlefield of the Nation where people prove their patriotism and nationalism. #PseudoNationalism #NewIndia,” added Ali.

Ali told the media that he suffers with cerebral palsy and he uses the wheelchair for mobility.

Also read: Respect for national flag, anthem non-negotiable: Govt to Supreme Court

According to Ali, “Singing National Anthem inside cinema hall doesn't make one patriotic. But such comments surely make others vulnerable. This practice needs to be done away with.”

He further added that he is planning to write to the Chief Justice of India to do away with the practice.

The Supreme Court in November 2016 had said the national anthem must be played in all cinema halls before screening of a film and everyone must stand up.