Don't need to stand up in movie halls to prove patriotism: SC takes U-turn

New Delhi, October 24: The Supreme Court stated that people need not stand in movie theatres to prove their patriotism and gave hints that it could overturn the rule. The court hinted that it may replace the word "shall" with "may".

Asking the Centre to consider amending rules of playing the national anthem in the theatres, the SC also indicated that it may modify its order of December 1, 2016, by which the playing of the anthem was made mandatory in the movie halls before the screening of a film.

“People go to cinema halls for undiluted entertainment. Society needs entertainment. We cannot allow you (Centre) to shoot from our shoulders. People do not need to stand up in cinema halls to prove their patriotism,” the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.

“Desireability is one thing but making it mandatory is another. Citizens cannot be forced to carry patriotism on their sleeves and courts cannot inculcate patriotism among people through its order,” the bench said.

The court’s strong remarks came during the hearing on a PIL filed last year by one Shyam Narayan Chouksey seeking directions that the national anthem should be played in all the cinema halls before a film begins.

In contrast to these remarks, a bench headed by Justice Misra had ordered the theatres across the country on December 1 last year to “mandatorily” play the national anthem before a movie and the audience must stand and show respect, in a bid to “instil committed patriotism and nationalism”.