Nationalist Organization in India Calls for Ban on Ringtone

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.textually.org/ringtonia/archives/007652.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.textually.org/ringtonia/archives/007652.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a nationalist organization in India, has called for a ban on the national anthem ringtone, stating that it is offensive. ''This is an insult to the national anthem and the ringtone should be banned immediately,'' he said, adding the service providers should strictly be asked to withdraw the ringtone." Although there is not a massive uproar about this (VHP is a relatively small organization), this could be a sign of things to come in more hardline countries that have reputations for filtering and/or censoring content."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-Mar2005-Ringtone.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />I am sure the people who have the national anthem as the ring tone on their cell phones are very patriotic. :roll: But I am old fashioned when it comes to national anthems and national flags. I feel they deserve our utmost respect and ring tones based on national anthems should definitely not be allowed. What do you think?

[Mike Temporale]

Well, I'm not a big fan of ringtones in general. I'm more of a "my phone should ring" type of guy. I do agree that national anthems deserve more than a poor cellphone rendition. On the other hand, it could show how much you care about your country. :lol:

[Santa Fe]

They also asked their first Indian Formula One driver ( Narain Karthikeyan) to not use their flag on his helmet. So they feel pretty serious about this.

[Kris Kumar]

They also asked their first Indian Formula One driver ( Narain Karthikeyan) to not use their flag on his helmet. So they feel pretty serious about this.

The national flag and the anthem are taken pretty seriously in India. Till recently (couple of years) people weren't allowed to have the national flag in their homes or offices. This was because of a very strict flag code. Even now people are prohibited from using flag in drapery/clothes (as in helment :-)), the flag must not touch the ground, it cannot be on a car, it cannot be torn or worn out etc. etc. As for the national anthem, people are expected to observe silence when it is being played, regardless of whether it is on TV or live.

[Kris Kumar]

National anthem based ring tones can be controversial. But what about ring tones based on songs with lewd/crude lyrics? :twisted: Where do you draw the line?

[spunkkat]

I am very old fashioned about important things like this, but as long as the ringtone is a really good version(yea, sure!) I am not against it-these days if the kids even know what the National anthem is I would be impressed!!!

[Jerry Raia]

I'm not really into musical tunes for phones anyway. I have a couple but I'm usually in vibrate mode anyway.

[Mike Temporale]

They also asked their first Indian Formula One driver ( Narain Karthikeyan) to not use their flag on his helmet. So they feel pretty serious about this.

The national flag and the anthem are taken pretty seriously in India. Till recently (couple of years) people weren't allowed to have the national flag in their homes or offices. This was because of a very strict flag code. Even now people are prohibited from using flag in drapery/clothes (as in helment :-)), the flag must not touch the ground, it cannot be on a car, it cannot be torn or worn out etc. etc. As for the national anthem, people are expected to observe silence when it is being played, regardless of whether it is on TV or live.

Ok, so it sounds like India is very serious about this sort of thing. Not there is anything wrong with that. I think I'll have to side with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on this one.

[Mike Temporale]

National anthem based ring tones can be controversial. But what about ring tones based on songs with lewd/crude lyrics? :twisted: Where do you draw the line?

Excellent point. There's nothing preventing people from doing that, and there is no public outcry to prevent it. :?

[Santa Fe]

Being lewd and crude here in the old west could be harmful to one's health... :2gunfire:

[rahuln]

speaking of mobile phones in India check out
http://www.indiagsm.com
It is INDIA's only website giving PRICES,specification,in-depth reviews of ALL the MOBILES available in India.

[BR]

They also asked their first Indian Formula One driver ( Narain Karthikeyan) to not use their flag on his helmet. So they feel pretty serious about this.

The national flag and the anthem are taken pretty seriously in India. Till recently (couple of years) people weren't allowed to have the national flag in their homes or offices. This was because of a very strict flag code. Even now people are prohibited from using flag in drapery/clothes (as in helment :-)), the flag must not touch the ground, it cannot be on a car, it cannot be torn or worn out etc. etc. As for the national anthem, people are expected to observe silence when it is being played, regardless of whether it is on TV or live.

after reading this we have to respect that this is how they operate over in India . . .if this is the procedure then I understand why it should not be allowed. Cell phone rings can be annoying and disturbing and this is not how they want their natioal anthem to be perceived