No need to play national anthem in cinema halls: AIMIM MLA

Local AIMIM MLA Imtiyaz Jaleel today said national anthem need not be played in cinema halls as people go there for entertainment.

He said that merely singing the national anthem in a cinema hall does not make anybody patriotic.

"I love my country and have great respect for our tri-colour and national anthem, but I don't want to show my patriotism, respect and love for this great country by singing the national anthem in a cinema hall," Jaleel said in his post on social media.

He said playing the national anthem in cinema halls is "a big no as people go there for some entertainment and not for getting any certificate on patriotism".

The MLA said playing the anthem could be made mandatory in schools and colleges.

His comments came against the backdrop of an incident in a cinema hall in suburban Mumbai wherein a family was being asked to leave by the audience for not standing up while the national anthem was being played.

In Maharashtra, it is mandatory for all cinemas to play the national anthem before every film.

Jaleel said that love and respect should come from within and not just by singing the national anthem before start of a film.

Jaleel said an MNS leader, who was one of the panelists on a television programme, had said that he be sent to Pakistan.

"I don't know when these nautanki artists learn to call a spade a spade. Don't thrust your superficial patriotism on us. It's my country and I don't have to prove my love for India to any Tom, Dick and Harry," he added.

Meanwhile, MNS activists demonstrated at Shivaji Park in Mumbai over Jaleel's comments.