Playing national anthem no longer compulsory in cinema halls: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday recalled its 2016 order which made it mandatory for public theatres to play the national anthem before screening any film.

 

The order came after the Government filed an affidavit saying a committee was formed to formulate rules pertaining to the playing of the national anthem in public places and that an order should be passed after hearing its recommendations.

 

The bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra subsequently modified it’s November 30, 2016 interim order, which had made it mandatory, and left the decision of playing the anthem to the discretion of each cinema house.

 

In the 1960’s, it was mandatory for movie theatres to play the national anthem. But cinema halls stopped following the practice in subsequent years due to lack of enforcement.