Protest over detention of 12 for disrespecting national anthem

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A group of persons today staged a protest in front of a theatre here, protesting police taking into custody 12 persons for showing disrespect to the National Anthem at cinemas screening movies of the International Film Festival of Kerala.

"The national anthem is not a digital song. National flag is not an audio visual. Cinema is primarily an entertainment. Cinema hall is a place to sell entertainment," a placard held by protesters at Tagore Theatre, the main venue of the ongoing festival, said.

"Please don't degrade my national anthem," another placard said.

"We love Bharat. Nationalism cannot be imposed," the protesters said.

In two separate cases, 12 persons were taken into custody for showing disrespect to the national anthem from theatres screening films connected to the festival last night.

They refused to stand up while the national anthem was being played, police said, adding, cases under IPC section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) had been registered.

Those arrested were later released on bail, they said.