Indian anthem snubbed as CJI visits Kashmir varsity

Law students, staffers remain seated as it is played

It was an embarrassing moment for the Kashmir University as students and some faculty members of its law department did not stand when the national anthem was played on the arrival of chief justice of India Altamas Kabir on Monday.

As soon as the chief Justice and some other dignitaries entered the convocation hall of the university here, the national anthem was played. The dignitaries, the high court judges and other judicial staff stood up in respect of the national anthem. However, the students and some staff members of the varsity remained seated.
Ironically, the students designated as stewards at the function signalled the students to sit down when some of them rose as the anthem was being played.
The Kashmir University officers refused to comment on the incident.

The chief justice visited the university, which was founded in 1948, to address the faculty and students of the law department.

First CJI at University

Justice Altamas Kabir became the first chief justice of India to visit Kashmir University on Monday, a fact that left him ‘astonished’.

The chief justice visited the university, which was founded in 1948, to address the faculty and students of the law department here.

“I was astonished myself that no chief justice of India had visited this university before. I am extremely happy to be here,” he said at the beginning of his 30 minute address to the students during which he delved upon the prospects of law graduates.

The chief justice also had word of appreciation for the university anthem which was played to welcome the guests that included senior Supreme Court judge, justice T S Thakur, and chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir high court M M Kumar.

“The lyrics and the music of the university anthem are beautiful. The person who wrote it must have been equally beautiful in thoughts,” Justice Kabir said.
The university anthem has been written by Jnanipeeth awardee and renowned Kashmiri poet Prof Rahman Rahi.

Vice-chancellor of the university Prof Talat Ahmad pointed out that with the visit of chief justice the entire top brass of the country has visited the campus now.
“We had the president Pranab Mukherjee, vice president Hamid Ansari here last year. Now with justice Kabir, it is complete,” he said.