N.R.Narayana Murthy - Jaya he!

The needless controversy over Mr.N.R.Narayana Murthy's comments on the playing of the instrumental version of the National Anthem at a function in the Infosys campus at Mysore is more the creation of a media starved of sensationalism and the itch of the political class to settle scores with an entrepreneur who has grown without much need of state support or patronage. Even an FIR has been registered. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act contains Section-3 which refers to intentional prevention of the singing of the national anthem. In Narayana Murthy's case there is no evidence to prove that he intentionally prevented the singing of the National Anthem. What has led this controversy to erupt is an explanation given by Murthy at a press conference. Howsoever feeble that explanation may be, it is no reason for charging Murthy under the Act. It is clear that Section-3 is being misused to unfairly crucify Murthy. Playing an instrumental version of the National Anthem is no insult to national honour.