Journalists asked to leave for not getting up during the national anthem at Army event

Two journalists covering the passing out parade at the Rangreth centre of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment in Srinagar were asked to leave for not getting up during the national anthem. The two journalists work with Kashmir Reader and Rising Kashmir, both of which are Srinagar-based dailies.

According to Kashmir Reader, its correspondent said he did not think it was important to stand up during the national anthem since he had been invited by the Army to cover the event, not be part of it and also that he was taking notes while the anthem was playing. He is also quoted as stating that the Army spokesperson Colonel NN Joshi apologised to him on behalf of the officer who asked him to leave. Reportedly, Colonel Joshi said,“[Colonel] Burn should have told me instead of expressing himself before you. As promised I raised his misbehaviour with the higher ups.”