THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State police chief Loknath Behera said that the police would take strong legal action against the delegates who do not stand up when the national anthem is played before the screening of films at the 21st International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
"The Supreme Court had given orders in this regard. We have to comply with that. Otherwise, it would be a case of contempt of court. I had conveyed this to the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Kamal on Monday itself. He had replied positively and said that he would make arrangements to request the delegates to stand up during the national anthem before each show," Behera said, after attending the Student Police Cadets programme in the city on Tuesday.
Citing the incident that took place inside a cinema hall in Chennai the other day, Behera said the police would not tolerate any violent incidents when the national anthem is played inside the theatre. “There is no point in creating controversy on the issue,” he said.
On Monday, the city police had taken six persons into custody for allegedly disrespecting the national anthem by remaining seated before a show held at Nishagandhi auditorium as part of the IFFK. The Museum police registered a case under Sections 188 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against them. They were also served a notice stating that they should be present at the police station whenever the police summon them. Interestingly, director Kamal had opposed the police action earlier in the day which triggered a controversy.