Police Martyrs Football Final: Police detains 15 spectators for alleged disrespect to national anthem

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 30 (STC): Fifteen spectators were detained at a Police Martyrs’ Football Tournament in Srinagar on Tuesday evening after they allegedly failed to stand during the national anthem, says a report.
The families of the detained persons have said that a “low and inaudible” band performance left them unaware of the anthem being played.
Kashmir Dot Com quoting official sources reported that the final of the Police Martyrs Football Tournament was attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground in TRC, Srinagar, in the late afternoon.
As per standard protocol, the national anthem was played by a live band during the ceremony. However, officials from the Kothibagh Police Station subsequently detained 15 individuals from the spectator stands for failing to rise during the anthem, the report quoting sources said.
In the aftermath of the detention, parents and relatives have claimed that the incident was not an act of deliberate disrespect but an unfortunate misunderstanding.
“The national anthem was played by a band, and from where they were sitting, the sound was very low and unclear,” stated one concerned parent who wished to remain anonymous. “They simply did not hear the anthem begin and were therefore unable to stand in time. It was a genuine mistake, not intentional disrespect.”
It’s worth mentioning that the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, deals with intentional disrespect to the national anthem and the Indian flag.
Sources said that the individuals were detained for not complying with the protocol. They added that an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

(Inputs from KDC / Straight Talk Communications)