NEW DELHI, Jan 9: The
Supreme Court today
made the playing of national
anthem in cinema halls
before screening of movies
optional, modifying its
earlier order.
The apex court modified its
November 30, 2016, order by
which it had made the playing
of the anthem mandatory in
cinema halls before the
screening of a film.
A bench headed by Chief
Justice Dipak Misra said a 12-
member inter-ministerial
committee, set up by the Centre,
would take a final call on the playing of national anthem
in the cinemas.
The Centre’s decision had
come after the top court had in
October last year observed that
the people “cannot be forced to
carry patriotism on their
sleeves” and it cannot be assumed
that if a person does not
stand up for the national anthem,
he or she is “less patriotic”.
Observing that the society
did not need “moral policing”,
the court had then said that
next time, “the government
will want people to stop wearing
T-shirts and shorts to cinemas
saying this would disrespect
the national anthem.”
The bench, also comprising
Justices AM Khanwilkar and
DY Chandrachud, said the
committee should comprehensively
look into all the aspects
relating to the playing of
national anthem and allowed
the petitioners to make representations
before the panel.
The bench, while disposing of
the petitions pending before it,
made it clear that the exemption
granted earlier to disabled persons from standing in the cinema
halls when the national anthem
is being played, shall remain
in force till the committee
takes a decision.
The top court accepted the
government’s affidavit which
said the 12-member panel has
been set up to suggest changes
in the 1971 Prevention of
Insults to National Honour Act.
Attorney General KK
Venugopal told the bench
that the committee will submit
its report within six
months. – PTI
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