Playing National Anthem in Cinemas No Longer Mandatory, Says SC

It’s official! Movie theatres no longer have to play the National Anthem before every film.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 9 January, modified its earlier order and said that playing the national anthem in cinema halls before screening films was no longer mandatory.

The Home Ministry, also on Tuesday, has set up an inter-ministerial committee to give recommendations over regulating the playing national anthem in public and to suggest changes in the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, reported The Times of India.

Requesting a period of six months to come up with the said rules, the Centre asked the Supreme Court to put its 30 November 2016 order on hold.

The panel will reportedly have representatives of various ministries, such as defence, external affairs, legal affairs, information & broadcasting, women and child development, among others. According to the report, all the members of the committee will be joint secretary-level officers.

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In its 30 November 2016 order, the SC had directed all cinema halls across India to play the national anthem before the beginning of any film. The order sparked a furore as it directed cinemagoers to “stand up in respect” till the end of the anthem, in a bid to “instill patriotism and nationalism”.

The Ministry of Home Affairs submitted the affidavit to frame new guidelines on the playing the national anthem in public places after considering “wide-ranging issues,” reported CNN News18.

The ministerial panel was reportedly set up on 5 December, and was looking into scenarios that would merit the playing of the national anthem, and also the proper manner to do it.

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Upon consideration of the recommendations made by the Committee, the government may bring out the requisite notification or circular or rules in this regard, if required.

The government’s affidavit

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(This story has been updated to reflect the SC’s 9 January order)

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