Is patriotism compulsory?

October 2014 was a watershed month in decoding the psychology of forced patriotism in India. In that period alone, three cinemagoers were heckled for not 'respecting' the national anthem. Salman M, arrested in August that year in Thiruvananthapuram for hooting and sitting while Jana Gana Mana played, faced the prospect of a life term if found guilty of sedition. On October 21, Mahek Vyas was verbally flogged and physically punched in PVR Phoenix because his South African girlfriend sat while the Indian anthem played. And in the timeframe between both incidents, Preity Zinta designated herself patriotism purveyor, booting a moviegoer for the same reason.

As an outcome, much was written about Section 3 of The Prevention Of Insults To National Honour Act, 1971, which states:

Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

While hooting may be considered disturbance, being sedentary is not. Neither does it intentionally prevent the singing of the anthem.

Who then, decided sitting is dastardly?

Conditioned behaviour

"The practice may have come from performance cultures where you sit to watch a play. Sitting represents relaxation. After the performance, people stand to give an ovation. This practice morphed into standing for national anthems," explains Dr. Gita Chadha, sociologist, University of Mumbai. "Standing as an expression of respect is common in formal, hierarchical and bureaucratic organisations. It could be traced back to rituals of war and defense too, where soldiers are expected to stand either at ease or in attention, depending on the occasion."

Standing and other marks of deference are so habituated, we seldom question them, says psychologist Dr. Pavan Sonar. "For example, we're taught to get up while greeting an older person. Over time, this became the norm for flags and anthems. It's conditioned behaviour accepted by the majority."

Patriotism vs. nationalism vs. jingoism

Another not-to-be-questioned norm is the enforcement of dry days. One understands the need for dry days during elections, for instance. Or holy days, considering religious appeasement is the done thing in our country. But does drinking on Republic Day or Independence Day make one any less patriotic? If law and order is cited as a justification, why does it then not apply to other days?

Behaviours like these become differentiators between patriotism and nationalism. The 2003 mandate by Chhagan Bhujbal (then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister) to play the anthem in theatres across the state was more an imposition for the likes of Afreen (name changed). Like the three people referred to earlier, this law student landed in hot water for not rising for Jana Gana Mana. From the group of five of which she was part, Afreen was just one of three who sat throughout. Yet, she says, she was singled out for wearing a hijab. "I was asked if I'm Pakistani," she reveals. "My friends were enraged. Five minutes into the film, we were called out of the theatre." Cops were summoned, and they first asked the heckler – not Afreen – whether he wanted to file a complaint against her.

Afreen, born and raised in Kashmir, talks about many there being coerced into displaying the flag in private vehicles. Many ordinary citizens had to unfurl the Indian flag on their rooftops in the weeks running up to Republic Day and Independence Day. This was up until 2005-06, she says. Such imposition, coupled with perpetually-brewing tensions in the state, led to entire generations abhorring something as mundane – to the rest of us – as hoisting the Indian flag or singing the national anthem.

It is difficult for most to stomach such hostility, but one must rethink whether compulsory patriotism pays any dividends. In his paper Toward a Marxist Theory of American Patriotism, New York University professor Bertell Ollman pointed out: "Patriotism that is forced is a false patriotism just as loyalty that is coerced is the very antithesis of loyalty."

Does the veracity here decrease just on the basis of which side of the left-right spectrum one is on?

Wanted: The freedom to choose how to be patriotic

Getting touchy about patriotism is second nature, because, explains Dr. Sonar, nationality is a core identity for most. "It's not just a motherland, but something that germinates other identities like religion, culture, etc. So any 'compromise' on this is viewed as a compromise on identity."

Nationality is a core identity for freedom fighter Gour Hari Das. The octogenarian, on whose life the just-released Gour Hari Dastaan is based, makes no bones about standing for the national anthem. It's alright, he adds, if the elderly or physically and mentally-challenged don't do so. Even then, he is skeptical of mandated patriotism. "Until the 1970s, they'd play the anthem after the film, but everyone would walk out. Now, they play it before a movie. Either way, is it coming from within? Or are you doing it because you have to?" Working for the betterment of fellow Indians, feels Das – who is general secretary of the National Anti-Corruption and Crime Prevention Council (NACCPC) – counts as more patriotic.

Patriotism presents itself in myriad hues. Some have an intense, sentimental attachment. Others see it as a drive to solve the country's problems. Still others wish to wear it on their sleeve or on their heads – literally – only to be told that's not how one is supposed to love the motherland.

"A sense of belonging needs expression. The expression need not be enforced by external agencies. It must emerge organically. People must have the freedom to choose the way in which they want to express national solidarity," feels Dr. Gita Chadha.

Restrictions still abound on wearing depictions of the flag below the waist as part of a costume, or printing it on cushions or handkerchiefs. According to law, one can't be draped in the flag either – not even in stadiums, nope (even though it's prevalent).

Tech company Trendyworks recently launched 'FamilyApp', which enables users to 'hoist the national flag from anywhere in the world in a single click', or upon the voice command of 'Jai Hind'.

Does that come across as silly? If so, ask yourself:

Whose patriotism is it anyway?