In December 2016, Supreme Court has come up with a surprising verdict saying that National Anthem is must in cinema halls. The decision was strictly followed in theaters since then.

The Apex court ended up saying that it is mandatory for movie theaters to play the National Anthem before a movie starts, along with visuals of the national flag and it should not be dramatized or exploited commercially. Accepting attorney general K K Venugopal’s suggestion, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra said playing of the national anthem in cinema halls will henceforth be optional.

The Supreme Court further stated that all those inside the theater must rise and pay attention when the National Anthem is being played on the screen. Though some prominent people went against this, many supported the act, called it a gesture of patriotism.

SC revealed that they’re re-evaluating the reports on confirming National anthem in theaters. While this is going on on one side, actress Sunny Leone has come forward supporting the idea. Contrary to this, Sonu Nigam and Vidya Balan went saying that it shouldn’t be played.

According to the latest reports, Playing the national anthem in cinema halls is not mandatory anymore. The Supreme Court stated this on Tuesday, a day after the government asked it to review it’s October 2016 order. The apex court modified its November 30, 2016, order by which it had made the playing of the anthem mandatory in cinema halls before the screening of a film.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said a 12-member inter-ministerial committee, set up by the Centre, would take a final call on the playing of the national anthem in the cinemas. Supreme Court judge Justice Chandrachud criticized the government for supporting a previous top court order making it mandatory to stand up for the anthem at movie halls.

“Next, you will want people to stop wearing t-shirts and shorts to cinema halls, calling it disrespect to the national anthem,” Chandrachud said. “Where will this moral policing stop?” He had, in fact, wondered, “Why do people have to wear their patriotism on their sleeve? People go to a movie theatre for undiluted entertainment. Society needs that entertainment,” he added.

Passing a slew of directions, the court had said that fundamental duties in the Constitution “do not allow any different notion or the perception of individual rights that have individual thought, have no space. The idea is constitutionally impermissible”. It had also said proper norms and protocol should be fixed regarding its playing and singing at official functions and programmes where those holding constitutional office are present.