In Kolkata, adult film audience refuse to stand up for the national anthem

Adult movie goers in Kolkata don’t respect the national anthem, apparently! To clarify, we mean film goers with a penchant for smut according to a story in the Indian Express.

After the Supreme Court’s directive to honour and respect the national anthem at theatres received a lot of flak from across the country, theatres in Kolkata are struggling to make its audience adhere to the order.

What a shame!  “Most people come here for pornographic entertainment and a majority belong to the poorer sections of society. How can one expect a crowd coming from a slum to watch Matric Pass 2 to stand while the national anthem is being played?” exclaimed S K Jha, the booking clerk of Regal theatre in central Kolkata, a rundown hall known for screening adult films. That raises a serious question over their ‘sanskar’.

Now, the owners of the cinema halls in the city are concerned. Because they don’t have enough staff to go around asking them to stand up. “There are only 11 staff members in all here. It is not possible to leave all our work and engage in asking people to stand while the anthem is playing.” said Jha.

While the owners are helpless, the porn-watching public are unhappy with the order.”I love my country and I don’t need to display it at a time when I have come to watch an adult film,” a patron told the Indian Express.

The apex court has relieved the disabled from standing up for the anthem but clarified that they could show some gesture expressing their respect. Not that the two are related but if such a pardon were to be extended to Matric Pass 2 fans, we’re sure they could express their respect in suitable ways as well.

Will the real patriots please stand up, please stand up?