National Anthem compulsory in movie theatres rules Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that the National Anthem be played in cinema halls across the country before the start of a movie.

It said the anthem would be accompanied by the image of the Tricolor on the screen.

The court said it was mandatory that all present inside the theatre hall should stand up as a sign of respect while the anthem is played.

A bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy said that this would instil feeling of constitutional patriotism and nationalism.

The bench said: "It is the duty of every citizen to abide by the ideals ingrained in the Constitution and as such show respect to the National Anthem and the national flag."

The court's order came on a public interest litigation (PIL) by Shayam Narayan Chouksey seeking framing of guidelines on the playing of the National Anthem.

The apex court made it clear that there would be no commercial exploitation of the National Anthem.

The bench in its order said that there should not be dramatisation of the anthem and it should not be printed on any "undesirable objects".

The court also barred any playing of the abridged version of the National Anthem. The order would come into force in ten days' time.