According to sources the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 9 January, modified its earlier order and said that playing the national anthem in cinema halls before screening films was no longer mandatory. Meanwhile a day before the order, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it had set up an inter-ministerial committee to decide on the issue of playing the national anthem in movie theatres and public places.
Further requesting a period of six months to come up with the said rules, the Centre asked the Supreme Court to put its 30 November 2016 order on hold. Previously in 30 November 2016 order, the SC had directed all cinema halls across India to play the national anthem before the beginning of any film.
Meanwhile the order sparked a furor as it directed cinemagoers to “stand
up in respect” till the end of the anthem, in a bid to “instill patriotism and
nationalism”. Moreover the Ministry of Home Affairs submitted the affidavit to
frame new guidelines on the playing the national anthem in public places after
considering “wide-ranging issues".
