New Delhi, December 1, 2016: Indian Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered all cinema halls across the country to play the national anthem before the screening of films and that all present must “stand up in respect” till the anthem ended. It said the practice would “instill a feeling within one a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism.”
Cinema halls should also display the national flag on screen when the anthem is played, it said.
A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said it is time people expressed their “love for the motherland.”
“People must feel this is my country. This is my motherland… Arrey, who are you? You are an Indian first. In other countries, you respect their restrictions. In India, you do not want any restrictions?” Justice Misra remarked.
The Bench said it is the duty of every person to show respect when the national anthem is played or recited or sung under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1951.
“…people should feel that they live in a nation and show respect to the national anthem and the national flag,” Justice Misra said. People should imbibe and express respect to the inherent quality of the anthem and the flag.
