Complaint lodged against scribe for ‘disrespecting’ national anthem in Tamil Nadu

Police said the reporter, upon questioning, allegedly told the DSSC officials that he was “not interested” in standing up.

A police compliant has been lodged against a journalist of an English daily for allegedly refusing to stand up when the national anthem was being played at a function in a Defence establishment in Udhagamandalam, nearby Wellington, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

A journalist allegedly refused to stand up when the national anthem was being played at a defence establishment function in Tamil Nadu.(HT Photo)

In its complaint, the Defence Services Staff College has said the reporter was seen “sitting carelessly” during the playing of national anthem “disrespecting it” at the convocation of 72nd Staff Course of the college on April 13.

The convocation was attended among others by Uttarakhand governor Kishan Kant Paul and Senior Defence personnel from India and abroad.

The reporter, when questioned, had allegedly told the DSSC officials that he was “not interested” in standing up, police said.

Acting on the complaint, police on Tuesday enquired about the incident with other reporters and photographers who were present at the convocation.

Based on the enquiry, a case may be registered against the journalist, police said.

DSSC sources said that the journalist precipitated the matter by arguing against the national anthem instead of offering a “polite sorry”, which could have ended the matter.