Telangana News

It seems, the Supreme Court’s rule of standing for the National Anthem in the theatre, is being implemented strictly. 

A group of college students in Chennai, were mishandled and threatened inside a movie theatre, after they allegedly refused to stand when the National Anthem was playing before the film. Four boys and four girls were attacked, allegedly by a group of 20, during the 11.30 am show of "Chennai 600028 II".

"During the interval, people sitting behind us were passing lewd remarks and a man, Vijayakumar, grabbed my friend by the collar and threatened to kill him for disrespecting the national anthem," said one of the girls in the group.

A fight erupted within seconds, she says. "20 people started beating us and called us names," said the teen. The students were asked by the security guards to leave, but they didn't, alleging that Vijayakumar had threatened to thrash them the moment they left the theatre.

"All of us in that theatre who didn't stand are very socially conscious and work for the society. For a group that was clapping and cheering at the casteist and sexist jokes throughout the movie was even manhandling one of my female friends, threatening us even...This is just ridiculous in fact," the girl said.

Upon Vijayakumar’s complaint, a case was filed against the students. He alleged that even he and his friends were beaten.