Mumbai: Wading into the ongoing debate over playing the national anthem in public places, singer Sonu Nigam on Thursday said while he honoured every country’s anthem, he also believed theatres and restaurants were not the place for it.
Sonu said the national anthem of any country should be respected and be given the same honour that people bestow on their own anthem.
“If the national anthem of Pakistan is played and all Pakistanis are standing, I will also stand out of respect for that country and those people,” he said.
“There are some people who are saying the national anthem should be there (in cinema halls), some say it should not be there. The national anthem is a prestigious and sensitive thing and I think it should not be played in certain places – in movie theatres or restaurants,” he said.
On Monday, the Supreme court directed the Centre to decide on the playing of the anthem in public places, including cinema halls.
The singer, who has often walked into controversies, drew a parallel between the anthem and one’s parents.
“I respect my parents and if I know they will not be respected at certain places, why should I take them there? I want them to be respected when they go out. Similarly, the national anthem should not be played at places where it will not be respected,” Sonu said on the sidelines of an event.
The playback singer, however, said if the national anthem is played in theatres, there should be “no ego” in standing up.
He stressed that he would stand up for the anthem of Pakistan or of any country.
