Arrests for not standing for Indian anthem at film festival

Police in southern India have arrested 12 people for not standing while the national anthem was being played

film festival

A young boy walks by a cinema hall in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. Source: AAP

Twelve people have been arrested for not standing during the Indian national anthem at a film festival.

The arrests follow a ruling by India's Supreme Court last month that said the anthem must be played before every film screening in India and that audiences must stand. The court said the rule was aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism.

Anil Kumar, inspector of police in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala state, said the 12 were arrested in two separate incidents in the city. They were released on bail.

On Sunday, eight people were beaten by right-wing activists for not standing while the national anthem was being played at a cinema in the southern city of Chennai, according to police.


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Published 13 December 2016 6:16pm
Updated 13 December 2016 9:02pm
Source: AAP


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