National Anthem Not Mandatory in Cinema Halls, Supreme Court Asks Government to Frame Guidelines in 6 Months
In what is believed to be a change of stand, the Supreme Court modified its own November 2016 order and said that all will be bound by guidelines set by the government in 2012.
New Delhi, January 9: The Supreme Court on Tuesday revised its National Anthem order and said that playing the ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was not mandatory in cinema halls. The Supreme Court in its order said that the playing of the national anthem is not mandatory and has given the government a time of 6 months to frame guidelines for the same. In what is believed to be a change of stand, the Supreme Court modified its own November 2016 order and said that all will be bound by guidelines set by the government in 2012.
In what is believed to be a change of stand, the Centre on Monday had suggested the Supreme Court to modify its earlier order making it mandatory for cinema halls to play the national anthem before the screening of a feature film. As per PTI reports, the government said that an inter-ministerial committee has been set up as the framing of guidelines describing circumstances and occasions on which the national anthem is to be played or sung, and observance of proper decorum on such occasions requires extensive consultations.
On Monday, the government said the top court may "consider the restoration of status quo ante until then i.e restoration of the position as it stood before the order passed by this court on November 30, 2016" as it mandates the playing of the National Anthem in all cinemas before the feature film starts.
The government said it has decided to constitute an inter-ministerial committee headed by Additional Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, with representatives from various other ministries, including the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Culture, Woman and Child Development and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Supreme Court on November 30 2016 had requested that all theaters ought to National Anthem before screening the film and everybody display in the corridor ought to face pay regard to the Anthem, while it is being played. Reports state that while the National Anthem is being played, Indian Flag ought to be appeared on screens which imparts the sentiment patriotism, particularly in the youthful minds.
To recall, the government had earlier said that playing of the national anthem be made mandatory not only in theatres but also in educational institutions. The government later told the court that it was in favour of apex court withdrawing its interim order passed on November 30, 2016 for mandatory playing of anthem in theatres.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2018 08:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).