Now playing of national anthem not mandatory in cinema halls

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud accepted the submission of Attorney General KK Venugopal to modify the order of the November 30, 2016.

It modified the earlier order and held that playing National Anthem in cinema halls is not mandatory, but only discretionary. However, citizens are bound to show respect to the Anthem in case the cinema hall chooses to play it.

The apex court had in its November 30, 2016, order said that “love and respect for the motherland is reflected when one shows respect to the national anthem as well as to the national flag”.

Earlier, the Centre had asked the court to modify its decree regarding the national anthem and how people should conduct themselves while it is being played.

The affidavit filed by the Centre in the Apex Court yesterday said, an inter-ministerial committee has been set up in this regard. It said, the committee will give its recommendations in six months from the date of its constitution.

The affidavit said, the committee has been set up as the framing of guidelines, describing circumstances and occasions on which the national anthem is to be played and the observance of proper decorum on such occassions, requires extensive consultations.