No need to stand up for National Anthem if it is part of a film/documentary: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has modified its earlier order to compulsorily play national anthem in theatres. The apex court has now clarified that the audience need not stand when the National Anthem is played as a part of the film, newsreel or a documentary.
A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi made this statement after petitioners said that the Supreme court should clarify if people are expected to stand when the National Anthem is played in a film, newsreel or documentary.
“It is clarified that when the National Anthem is played as part of the storyline of a film, newsreel or a documentary the audience are not obliged to stand up,” the bench said.
Aamir Khan’s recently released movie Dangal had one such scene where the National Anthem was played. Incident were reported about people attacking those who didn’t stand up during the scene.
The apex court had earlier ordered theatres across the nation to compulsorily play the National Anthem before screening of a movie and the audience must stand and show respect.
This decision was met with mixed response with many alleging that it is a sign of forced patriotsm and that theatres was not a place to show one’s nationality and patriotism. The decision resulted in several attacks across the country where even disabled individuals were attacked for not standing when the National Anthem was played.
Last year, during the 21st IFFK in Thiruvananthapuram, some delegates refused to stand up during the National Anthem, which lead to police entering the cinema halls and arresting them. This lead to widespread debates and criticism among all sections of the society.
