At least six persons were taken into custody for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem after they refused to stand up while it was being played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala.
They refused to stand up while the national anthem was being played in Kannakakunnu Nishagandhi open air theatre at IFFK, police said.
Even after the policemen who were present at the hall requested them to stand, they did not budge.
IFFK organisers and Director of Chalachitra Academy Charmin Kamal also asked the six persons to stand up, but they refused.
Later, police took them to Museum police station.
Meanwhile, DGP Loknath Behra directed police to keep a watch all those who show disrespect to national anthem during the film festival.
He also directed the officials to take into custody those who insult the national anthem.
Earlier in the day, BJP youth Yuvamorcha filed a complaint seeking action against the persons, who refused to stand up while playing national anthem, as per the recent directives of the Supreme Court.
On Sunday, a group of 20 people roughed up a young man and two women students at a city theatre in Chennai as the three had not stood up when the national anthem was being played before the screening of ‘Chennai 28-II’.
Witnesses told that the three were beaten up by around 20 people following a heated argument. The three were among the nine people who had remained seated while the anthem was being played.
(With PTI inputs)
