HM issues advisory on how people with disabilities can “maximum possible alertness” during the national anthem

The nation comes first and so does our national anthem. Hence the government has issued an advisory on how people with disabilities can display their respect when the national anthem is being played. Those on crutches and wheelchairs must maintain “the maximum possible alertness physically” by not moving during the national anthem.

According to the Hindustan Times, the Union Home Ministry’s December 21 advisory detailed ways in which people with physical and intellectual disabilities should conduct themselves during the national anthem.

In November 2016, the Supreme Court had ordered a mandatory performance of the national anthem before the screening of  films and stated that people must show respect for it. Later on December 9, following a plea, the Apex Court ordered that people with disabilities should be exempted from standing for the anthem and directed the government to issue a guideline on how such people can “show respect”.

And in order to ensure that those with hearing disabilities can also “show respect”, the HM advisory says that  “… there must be an appropriate indication on the screen that the national anthem is being played or sung as the persons with hearing disability is likely to miss the auditory cues.” It further reads, “Suitable instructions may be given in the form of captioning as well as in sign language on the screen so that the persons with hearing impairment are well informed that the national anthem is being played.”

Interestingly, while the advisory exempts those with intellectual disabilities, it says that those with mild disabilities can be “trained to understand and respect the national anthem.” Aware that jingoism brings out the worst in people, the advisory also suggests spreading awareness amongst the general public to “avoid any unwarranted incident against persons with intellectual disabilities as some of the persons with intellectual disabilities may not exhibit physical disabilities.”

This possibly comes at the heels of an incident in October last year where award-winning writer Salil Chaturvedi, suffering from a spinal injury, was assaulted for not standing up while the national anthem was being played.