Sing national anthem or go to Pakistan: Jaipur Mayor Ashok Lahoti makes it compulsory for staff

Photo: ANI

Jaipur: The Jaipur Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan has made it compulsory for all its employees to sing the national anthem in the morning and Vande Mataram in the evening with the city mayor making it clear that 'those who don't want to sing can go to Pakistan'. 

The anthem will be sung at 9.50 am every morning. The employees are meant to report to work at 9:30 am in the municipal corporation. At around 5:55 pm, five minutes before the closing time, the employees have to sing the national song Vande Mataram. 

The new rule came into force on Tuesday.

Confirming the report, city Mayor Ashok Lahoty told reporters, "Nothing has more positive energy than the national song. One should go home with the positive energy of the national song and give quality time to his family," 

"It has many benefits. This will develop a work culture, there will be positive energy. This will increase workmanship," he added.

He, however, dismissed the report on the 'Pakistan' jibe.  

"No, I did not mean to say go to Pakistan. That was just friendly banter. Someone asked what if someone opposes singing the national anthem. I said this is not Pakistan."

The new diktat comes in the middle of a debate over the singing of the national anthem in cinema halls.

Almost a year ago, the Supreme Court, in a ruling, asked cinema halls to play the national anthem before the screening of films. 

However, last week, the apex court asked the central government to consider regulating the playing of the anthem while noting that "we don't have to wear patriotism on our sleeves."

The government has argued that India is a diverse country and the national anthem can be a unifying force.