Anthem must in cinemas: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that all cinema halls across the country must play the National Anthem before each show, and said moviegoers would “show honour and respect to it”. The court gave a 10-day deadline for the implementation of its order.

“It would instil a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism among people. A time has come when the citizens of the country must realise that they live in a nation and are duty-bound to show respect to the National Anthem,” the court said.

The order comes amid a raging debate on nationalism, and drew reactions on social media, with opinion sharply divided.

Many cinemas already play the national anthem before screenings, but there have been instances of people being beaten up for not standing up. The court said that entry and exit doors would remain closed when the anthem is played to avoid any disturbance. The court also said that there would not be any dramatisation or commercial exploitation of the Jana Gana Mana.

“When the Anthem plays, screens should display the National Flag. The Anthem or a part of it shall not be printed on any object,” it said.

India’s first Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore penned the song in 1911. The first of five stanzas were adopted as India’s National Anthem in 1950. The court has also banned any abridged version of the 52-second song.

After the India-China war, cinemas played it after every movie, but since people often walked out, the practice had to be discontinued. The Union home ministry’s rules say it is compulsory to stand at attention when the anthem is being played.

SC ruling on anthem will boost patriotism: Venkaiah Naidu
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday lauded Supreme Court’s direction that cinema halls across the country must play National Anthem before screening a film, saying it will inculcate a sense of patriotism among people particularly the younger generation.

“It is a very good decision. It will inculcate a sense of patriotism among people particularly the younger generation. I am very happy about it,” Mr Naidu who also holds the portfolio of information and broadcasting said.

The Apex Court on Wednesday directed that cinema halls across the country must play the national anthem before the screening of a film and people should stand up as a mark of respect.

The court also directed that the national flag should be shown on screen when the anthem is played.

“People must feel this is my country and this is my motherland,” a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said while stressing that it is the duty of every citizen of the country to show respect to the national anthem and the flag.

It also said no person should take commercial benefits by playing the anthem and that it should not be dramatised.

The Apex Court said the anthem should not be printed or displayed on undesirable objects, and also barred it from being played on variety shows and its abridged version anywhere.