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 thea- tres, 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 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 the Prevention of Insult of National Honour Act (1971), make 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. The Supreme Court accepted the Centre’s submission that an inter-ministerial committee constituted on December 5 was looking into all aspects relating to the playing and singing of the national anthem.