No need to play national anthem in cinemas: SC
GOVT TO DECIDE Ruling after Centre told top court it will frame rules within six months
NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said cinema halls across India no longer needed to play the national anthem before film screenings, reversing an order passed over a year ago.
The ruling comes a day after the Centre asked for “status quo ante”– or a return to the situation before the court had passed its November 2016 order – saying it would frame fresh rules within six months.
“The interim order passed on November 30, 2016 is modified that playing of national anthem prior to screening of a film is not mandatory or directory,” said a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.
Before the 2016 ruling, some state governments — including that of Maharashtra — had made it mandatory for the national anthem to be played in theatres across the state. Legal experts said that any such executive order by states would still stand.
If the anthem is played in theatres, moviegoers will have to stand in a show of respect, the court specified, but said that differently abled people would be exempt.
“Citizens and people living in India are bound to show Nov 30, 2016: SC makes it mandatory for cinema halls to play the national anthem and for patrons to stand
Dec 9, 2016: SC allows a film society from Kerala, which wanted recall of the Nov order, to implead in the case February 14, 2017: Applications filed to exempt the differently abled from the SC order. Court asks senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra to assist in the matter April 18, 2017: SC modifies its order to give exemption to the differently abled respect,” said the bench while disposing of a public interest litigation asking to specify what would constitute disrespect and abuse of national anthem.
The court said that the Prevention of Insult of National October 23: SC asks Centre to take a call on the matter and bring appropriate guidelines. Says one cannot be expected to carry patriotism up their sleeves December 5: Centre appoints a inter-ministerial panel to give comprehensive suggestions on aspects related to singing and playing of the anthem
January 9: SC modifies its order and restores status quo ante as asked by the Centre the previous day Honour Act (1971) makes it “clear as crystal that no one can be intentionally prevented from singing or cause disturbance in assembly singing the anthem.”
Offenders, the court said, would be penalised.