Govt releases new guidelines on national anthem for visually challenged

Persons with hearing disabilities will have to stand with attentivenes

Differently-abled people, who are unable to stand, will have to display "maximum attentiveness" while persons with hearing disabilities and those visually challenged will have to stand up when the national anthem is played at cinema halls or at a public function.

These are part of the "Guidelines for visually challenged to show respect to National Anthem" issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on the eve of Republic Day.

The only category for which there is some relaxation is people with intellectual disabilities.

Last November, the Supreme Court ordered cinema halls to mandatorily play the national anthem before screening of a film and that the audience must stand in respect.

However, it modified its order on December 9 exempting disabled people. But the court also said while the physically-disabled need not stand up, they will have to "show conduct" of respect for the national anthem.

The Centre later said there will be a separate set of guidelines issued for the differently abled.

According to details made public by the ministry on Wednesday: "Persons with locomotor disabilities with lower limbs affected and wheelchair users who are not capable of standing shall may position himself/herself to the extent of maximum attentiveness and alertness with or without the help of appropriate aids and appliances.

"If the person with disability is on crutch, he/she should become stable (non-mobile) to the extent of maximum alertness," said a statement issued by the Ministry.

Persons with hearing disabilities (deaf or hard of hearing) will have to stand with attentiveness, according to the guidelines.

The guidelines also require the owner/organiser to ensure that there "is appropriate indication on the screen that the national anthem is being played or sung so that a person with hearing disability doesn't miss the auditory cues".

"Persons with blindness and low vision shall stand up in respect of national anthem," the statement said. 

The persons with intellectual disabilities will have behavioural problems like flapping of the hands, shouting, abnormal body movements and difficulty in performing practical task.

The public is required to be sensitised so as to avoid any unwarranted incident against persons with intellectual disabilities.