The SC Bench also said that "prior to the National Anthem being played or sung in cinema halls, the entry and exit doors shall remain closed, so that no one can create any disturbance, which will amount to disrespect to the National Anthem."
The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday ordered cinema halls across the country to play the National Anthem before a movie, and said that the audience must stand up while it is being played.
The Apex Court said that "love and respect for the motherland is reflected when one shows respect to the National Anthem as well as to the National Flag. A time has come when citizens must realise that they live in a nation and are duty-bound to respect the National Anthem, which is a symbol of constitutional patriotism and inherent national quality," a Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said.
In 2003, then Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) youth wing president Narendra Verma had made a representation to the Maharashtra government in this regard. Verma had approached then Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who liked the idea and gave orders to this effect. Accordingly, 150 theatres in Maharashtra started playing the National Anthem, said Verma.
Speaking to DNA, Verma said he had actually approached then President Pratibha Patil and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make it compulsory in all cinema halls in the country but nothing happened. Verma said that it should now be made mandatory in all colleges and theatres where plays are staged.
The SC Bench also said that "prior to the National Anthem being played or sung in cinema halls, the entry and exit doors shall remain closed, so that no one can create any disturbance, which will amount to disrespect to the National Anthem."
"The Apex Court said that there shall not be any "dramatisation of the National Anthem" and it should not be included as a part of any variety show. The court barred the printing of the anthem or a part of it on any object and displaying it in such a manner at places which may be "disgraceful to its status". The court also barred playing or displaying an "abridged version" of the National Anthem and directed that its order be given effect in 10 days.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, said that the anthem has to be respected and assured the Bench that the order of the court will be circulated to the chief secretaries of all states and Union territories.
The Bench posted the matter for further hearing on February 14. Its directions came on a PIL filed by one Shyam Narayan Chouksey. The Apex Court had last month issued a notice to the Centre, asking it to specify what would constitute disrespect to the National Anthem.
(With inputs from agencies)
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