Smriti Irani says ‘many Indians are told it’s not cool to be patriotic’ 

Smriti Irani.

Union minister Smriti Irani said a trend is being pushed in India wherein the countrymen are told that being patriotic is not “cool”.

Speaking at an event hosted by Republic TV, Irani, on Wednesday, said, “What is extremely interesting to note is that while we speak about India, at the same time there are many Indians who are told it is not cool to be patriotic. … Why would you shed a tear when the national anthem is played? why would you want to stand? In fact, the best way to celebrate the democracy is by saying ‘Bharat ke sau tukde hoge (India will be broken into 100 pieces)’ and I disagree with it.”

The statement was a part of a debate between Smriti Irani and actor-politician Kamal Haasan, where she responded to Hassan who said cinema halls are no place to test patriotism of people with national anthems.

Irani said, “I don’t think the national anthem is played to test someone’s patriotism. A community of people come together and celebrate that this is the one thing we have in common. We don’t have our languages, culture in common, but the goosebumps we get when national anthem plays is common.”

Haasan, in his reply, said, “Goosebumps happen when it’s done in a proper atmosphere … I’ve had goosebumps … but if it happens every day, it loses its effect.”

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