Why can't he stand, if he can go to the theatre: Wheelchaired man questioned for not standing to national anthem

Salil Chaturvedi, writer and disability activist, who has been using a wheelchair since 1984, was beaten up at a film theatre in Panaji, Goa, The Times of India reported.

Firstpost reported, Salil Chaturvedi is wheelchair-bound due to spinal-injuries that left him paralysed waist-down. It was also reported that a couple just above his row took offence, since Chaturvedi "could not rise to his feet".

While the wife yelled at him, the husband hit him from behind, TOI reported. After the anthem was over, he just turned around and told them to "relax".

To NDTV, Chaturvedi said,"My brother is a gallantry award winner, my dad was in the Air Force, we know what patriotism is."

Although the son of a military officer, he is not the kind to lash out to violence, with violence. Deeply shaken by the incident, Chaturvedi said he has not and will not go for films after this incident.

"I can't go," he said,"I’m afraid someone will hit me even harder, and worsen my spinal injury. I just don’t understand why it seems impossible for so many people to express patriotism in a non-aggressive manner."

This is how the Twitter reacted following Salil Chaturvedi's interview by Barkha Dutt.

Renowned author Amitav Ghosh was one of the firsts to express concern.

Shocking story: disabled poet attacked because he couldn't stand for the Indian national anthem before a movie https://t.co/t2GxZezJ96

— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) October 18, 2016

But not all had the same concern in mind.

If disability doesn't prevent a person from going all the way to movie hall, how does it prevent him from standing up for national anthem ?

— Ketan C Bhate (@BhateKetan) October 20, 2016

Goes without saying,Ketan got roasted for his insensitive comments. 

> @BhateKetan Have you even heard of something called wheelchairs? They move you around even if you can't stand/walk?

— Shrabonti Bagchi (@Shrabonti) October 20, 2016

Wheelchair-bound poet beaten for not standing up during national anthem in Goa-Vitiated atmosphere has turned even c'mon ppl into criminals.

— Chandrashekhar Verma (@cshekharvarma) October 19, 2016

Specially-abled man in a wheelchair beaten up in Goa for not standing for the national anthem. I have no words. Disgusting behaviour. #India

— Sneha Mahale (@randomcards) October 19, 2016

Impeccable logic! I am always on a wheelchair, go to many places but can't stand up! Should I be beaten then? https://t.co/vxdnyGmmTJ

— Shakthi (@v_shakthi) October 20, 2016

@DeShobhaa Is called Manufactured Intolerance. Not "beaten up". A knock on the head followed by an apology on noticing the wheelchair.

— monair (@drmohannair) October 20, 2016