This is hypocrisy, my lord!

Just days after directing the whole nation to paly and respect our dear national anthem, the  Supreme Court has rejected the idea of following the same course. The learned and honorable SC has  refused to entertain a plea that asked  playing of national anthem in all courts before the start of proceedings. This is a classic case of "do what I say and not what I do".

 The plea was made by a probably overenthusiastic BJP leader who happens to be a lawyer also. He had asked directions from the apex court to play the national anthem in all courts before the start of proceedings.The bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy thought otherwise. In their order,  they said the SC's order on national anthem should not be overstretched. The court also sought Attorney General's response on the plea.Just a couple days ago, the Supreme Court had on November 30 directed that the national anthem be played in cinema halls across the country before the screening of a movie. The same court had issued guidelines on the national anthem and people in cinema halls to stand up when the anthem is played and the National Flag be shown on the screen at the time. The SC has, with respect to the order on national anthem in theatres, directed the Centre that its order should be implemented within a week.

 This is an evident hypocrisy. On the hand, you are ordering millions of people to express their respects to the national emblems at a place that has neither sanctity nor the constitutional validity. On the other hand, you are showing aversion to the same principle where the Constitution reigns supreme. Won't people think that they were forced to do something which the authorities are unwilling to do? Are the laws, regulations and procedures meant only for commoners, who have no access to the power and authority? This is not the first time that the court has come up with such double standards.

In the past, Justice Markandeya Katju had adopted similar approach while excusing the justice fraternity from the misuse of the beacons. Why does the judiciary always puts itself a notch above other and admonishes others? One cannot but think the courts have taken a liking to take advantage of people's disliking the politicians and disregarding the system.If the honorable SC is sincere that the playing and singing of national anthem nurtures patriotism and discipline, it cannot recuse itself of having the same in its premise.

 Actually, it is the perfect place for doing so as courts are where people should have their faith and commitment manifested. If it doesn't, it should stop preaching to others what it cannot do itself.

 Else, people will say, "This is hypocrisy, my lord!"

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