On Tuesday, the Supreme Court clarified that it is not an obligation for people to stand up when the National Anthem is played as part of movie, newsreel or in a documentary. This issue came up after petitioners approached the court asking for clarification whether people should stand if the National Anthem is a part of the movie. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Bhanumathi said that it is not a compulsion to stand up as part of the movie.
In a statement, the bench said, “It is clarified that when the National Anthem is played as part of the story line of a film, newsreel or a documentary the audience need not stand.” The bench also said that this issue is settled till the next hearing on April 18.
SC clarifies that people are not obliged to stand up when the National Anthem is played as and in part of a film or documentary
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2017
To express the love for the motherland, the Supreme Court passed a ruling making it compulsory to stand for the national anthem before the movie. The apex court, while passing a slew of directions, has said that “time has come when citizens must realize they live in a nation and are duty-bound to show respect to (the) National Anthem which is a symbol of constitutional patriotism and inherent national quality.”
This incident was brought to light after several cases assault and beatings and being thrown out by those in the theater in a surge of nationalistic vigilantism.
