The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that all cinema halls across the country must play the National Anthem before each show, and said moviegoers would “show honour and respect to it”. The court gave a 10-day deadline for the implementation of its order. “It would instill a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism among people. A time has come when the citizens of the country must realise that they live in a nation and are duty-bound to show respect to the National Anthem,” the court said. The order comes amid a raging debate on nationalism, and drew reactions on social media, with opinion sharply divided.
Many cinemas already play the national anthem before screenings, but there have been instances of people being beaten up for not standing up. The court said that entry and exit doors would remain closed when the anthem is played to avoid any disturbance. The court also said that there would not be any dramatisation or commercial exploitation of the Jana Gana Mana. “When the Anthem plays, screens should display the National Flag. The Anthem or a part of it shall not be printed on any object,” it said. However, later the SC rejected a petition to make the anthem compulsory in courts.
