Standing for National Anthem in cinemas: Don’t shoot from our shoulders SC to Centre

The Supreme Court has directed the Union Government to take a call on whether the people should stand up for the National Anthem at cinema halls. The court said that it would not let the government shoot from its shoulders and hence it is the centre which must take the call.

While hearing the matter, Justice D Y Chandrachud said, " you do not have to stand up in the cinemas during the National Anthem to prove your patriotism."

He further said, " next you will want people to stop wearing tees and shorts to the cinemas saying this is disrespect to the Anthem. Where does the moral policing stop," the court also observed orally.

People go to cinemas for entertainment. They go watch movies for undiluted entertainment and the society needs to be entertained, Justice Chandrachud also observed. He expressed unhappiness over the government supporting the order which mandates standing up for the National Anthem.

The Centre had supported the decision to make it mandatory for people to stand at cinemas for the National Anthem. It said that it would instill a sense of patriotism if people stood up when the National Anthem was being played at cinemas. The Centre has been given time till January 2018 to take a final call on the matter.

OneIndia News