The Supreme Court made playing national anthem mandatory in all the cinema halls before screening the film. Almost everyone was questioning the need of forcing patriotism on people. When the Supreme Court made it compulsory, many physically challenged persons had pointed out the problem with the norm for them.

The Supreme Court later clarified that the differently-abled didn’t have to stand for the national anthem in theaters. But the latest guidelines from the home ministry follow the Supreme Court’s modified order that exempted physically challenged people from standing during the national anthem.

The protocol says while a person who is on a crutch should become stable (non-mobile) to the “extent of maximum alertness” those with hearing disability “if capable to stand, shall stand with attentiveness.”

The guideline says: “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. 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.”

The guideline also calls for generating public awareness “so as to avoid any unwarranted incident against persons with intellectual disabilities as some of the persons with intellectual disabilities may not exhibit physical disabilities.”

On Twitter, there were people who criticized the new guidelines. Here are some of the reactions.

We are now “training” disabled people to respect the national anthem?
Let’s first get ramps and facilities for them and respect them first! pic.twitter.com/hyz1qxkHBh

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) January 22, 2017

Population is our biggest problem. Wearing tricolour condoms mandatory will make more sense than playing National Anthem in theatres. pic.twitter.com/iySysH5YdW

— Sherlock (@engineerology) January 22, 2017

“Disabled must be still, alert when the national anthem is played”: Govt

But RSS ppl can go around taking pictures while it’s being played https://t.co/MQFCaUPOhL

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) January 22, 2017

Dear govt, fuck you and fuck your nationalism. pic.twitter.com/oOurpJWiAD

— Prerna Bakshi (@bprerna) January 21, 2017

SC asks govt to form guidelines on how physically disabled can respect national anthem, and, govt actually comes with one. Idiots!

— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) January 22, 2017

Shouldn’t we have basic disabled friendly infrastructure in #India before we tell them how 2be physically alert during the national anthem?

— Deepal Trivedi (@DeepalMirror) January 22, 2017

But if the guidelines aren’t formulated, cops will start arresting disabled for “disrespecting” flaf/anthem etc.

— Pradip Varma (@Pradip_K_Varma) January 22, 2017

Exempting disabled is the best option. But then I suppose cops will ask for “Disability” certificate.

— Pradip Varma (@Pradip_K_Varma) January 22, 2017

and I consider this as fake nationalism where you are forcing things on disables

— Abhi (@abhi10_) January 22, 2017

completely agree. But knowing how our media twists words, I think there is more to this

— Le Interruptor (@LeInterruptor) January 22, 2017

The national anthem is already played before movies in some states, and there are some instances where people have beaten up for not standing up for the anthem.