Supreme Court Makes National Anthem Mandatory In Theaters Before The Film Begins
In a major decision, the Supreme Court today said that it was mandatory for movie theaters to play the National Anthem before a movie starts. The apex court said that it should be played along with visuals of the national flag and it should not be dramatized or exploited commercially.
The Supreme Court further stated that all those at the theater must rise and stand when the National Anthem is being played the National Flag displayed on the movie screen.
Also Read: Don’t Be Sure ‘Jana Gana Mana’ Will Remain National Anthem Forever
The ruling came in response to a PIL filed by Shyam Narayan Chouksey in October this year. “Time has come for people to realize that the national anthem is a symbol of constitutional patriotism…people must feel they live in a nation and this wallowing individually perceived the notion of freedom must go…people must feel this is my country, my motherland.”: SC bench headed by justice Dipak Misra said.
“When the national anthem is played it is imperative for everyone to show honor and respect It would instill a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism,” the court added.
SC said that the National Anthem should not be dramatised or commercially exploited: Abhinav Srivastav, Legal Counsel for Petitioner pic.twitter.com/o0qj6qvbIN
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2016
It was mandatory for cinema halls to play the national anthem after every movie in the 1960’s. The practice faded away over the years. In 2003, Maharashtra had ordered that the anthem has to be played before the screening of any film. As of now here are some theaters playing National Anthe before the film starts. But, now with the order of Supreme Court, it is mandatory for all the theaters to play the national anthem before the film starts.
Last year, there were multiple incidents of violence reported in Mumbai over people not showing respect to the anthem when it was played before a film screening. In one case, a Muslim family was heckled out of a theater for not standing for the national anthem.
“The national anthem must not be printed on any undesirable object, and should not be used for any commercial purposes. Also, no dramatization of the anthem should be allowed”, the court added.
Hailing the order by the Supreme Court, Indian lawyer Ram Jethmalani said that it is a good decision and there should not be any controversy on it as it is a mark of respect.
Here’s How Twitterati Reacted:
Why Is Modiji Forcing Supreme Court To Promote National Anthem? What’s The Deal Between Modiji & Rabindranath Tagore? #NationalAnthem
— Arvind Kejriwal (@TroluKejri) November 30, 2016
Respect has to be felt and if it is enforced it will be faked which would be even more disrespectful to the #NationalAnthem
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
why #NationalAnthem should be restricted to only cinema halls..why shouldn't every shop ask customer to see a video of it b4 entering shop?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Under enforced #NationalAnthem shouldn't every tv programme and tv serial episode and Radio programmes also be playing it?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Should #NationalAnthem be played even before every news report on tv that criticises our great nation's great leaders policies ?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Shouldn't #NationalAnthem be printed on every newspaper everyday on its front page before we start reading the news from 2nd page onwards ?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Shouldn't parents and children enforce each other to sing #NationalAnthem as soon as they get up from their bed before they begin their day?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Shouldn't #NationalAnthem be played in temples,churches and mosques before prayers begin?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Shouldn't the #NationalAnthem be played before every song that plays on Radio because it's entertaining people ?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Shouldn't the #NationalAnthem be compulsorily played in all night clubs before drinking and dancing begins ?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
If there's an exam put on whether they understand the meaning in the #NationalAnthem I think 99% Indians will fail
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
If Hindi is predominant language along with various ,shouldn't #NationalAnthem have all versions so that all Indians will understand ?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Like lead actor giving anti tobacco msg shouldn't lead character of evry film compulsorily sing #NationalAnthem twice b4 nd aftr interval?
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 1, 2016
Take a look at some of the hilarious reactions to the court’s decision.
Hope Supreme Court orders Indian Parliament to sing our Nation Anthem before each session. Often its drama too is movie like #nationalanthem
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) November 30, 2016
Sad if my love for India is measured over whether I stand up for the #NationalAnthem or not | @angshukanta | https://t.co/nmXIz12Vxs
— DailyO (@DailyO_) December 1, 2016
Why cinema halls, make our MPs sing #NationalAnthem first | @suchitrak | #SupremeCourt | https://t.co/509Dh6iHzJ pic.twitter.com/GGeTO9U3WE
— DailyO (@DailyO_) December 1, 2016
Believing that standing up for the #NationalAnthem is patriotism is like believing that everyone on your Facebook list is your friend.
— Priya Sometimes (@PriyaSometimes) December 1, 2016
Next Up: All bank ATMs to start playing National Anthem.
Jab khade hi ho line main itne ghanṭe se to thode deshbhakt bhi ban jao.
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) November 30, 2016
There should be a national anthem file attached in all movie torrents: SC
— dorku (@Dorkstar) November 30, 2016
Sing National Anthem before : Having Panipuri, Cutting a cake, opening Netflix, starting your car, Retweeting, fighting with your maid…
— The Last Washello (@humanprojector) November 30, 2016
“Why Only Indian National Anthem? Why Not Pakistan’s #NationalAnthem? What’s The Deal Modiji?” – Kejriwal
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 30, 2016
If the PVR near my house doesn’t play the National Anthem, I’ll just stand up during the Gutkha Mukesh ad. Woh siraf chaubees saal ka tha.
— Akshar (@AksharPathak) November 30, 2016
Standing up for our National Anthem is normal.
But, not sure how standing before watching Raaz: Reboot is making me feel patriotic.— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) November 30, 2016
I anyway stand up for the National Anthem, but from now on, I’ll play safe, and stand up for anything National. Even National Panasonic.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) November 30, 2016
Its my cousin’s marriage today hope SC make National Anthem mandatory for sangeet ceremonies too , those baratis aren’t patriotic enough
— Rohan (@Rohanparihar2) November 30, 2016
Cinema hall me national anthem me khada hona compulsory hai.. is bahane Shrish Kunder ki movie me log kam se kam 52 seconds to rukenge 😂😂
— M@ithun (जनेऊ धारी) 🚩 (@Being_Humor) November 30, 2016
If National Anthem mandatory in TV shows:
* TV show starts *
Jan Gan Man… to be continued….— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) November 30, 2016
We are gonna play the National Anthem in a cinema before watching the Fifty Shades of Grey Sequel.
That makes sense.
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) November 30, 2016
Do you have something to add to the story ? Do let us know your views about the Supreme Court’s order in the comment session below.
Also Read: Complaint Lodged Against Amitabh Bachchan For Singing National Anthem Incorrect