National Anthem Before Movies, Cinema Exits To Be Shut, Says Supreme Court

The national anthem must be played in all cinemas before movie screenings and all exits will be shut during that time, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday. The court also stressed that everyone should rise for the anthem and the national flag has to be on the screen.

"When the national anthem is played it is imperative for everyone to show honour and respect. It would instill a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism," said the judges.

"Time has come that people must feel and show respect to the national anthem, the symbol of constitutional patriotism."

While the anthem is on, all theatre exits will be closed - a rule that instantly raised questions about emergencies. Lawyers say the movement of people in and out of the hall in the middle of the anthem is seen as disrespect.

Acting on a petition alleging misuse of the anthem in TV shows or movies, the court also ruled that it should not be commercially exploited, dramatized or printed on objectionable material.

The government promised to



have the system in place in 10 days.

The petition was filed by Shyam Narayan Chouksey, who runs an NGO in Bhopal.

Cinema halls used to play the national anthem after the movie in the 1960s, but people often walked out in the middle. The practice faded away over the years, as multiplexes dramatically transformed movie-watching.

The anthem is still played in theatres in some states. In 2003, Maharashtra made it compulsory.

Whether or not to stand in the cinema hall when the anthem is played has generated much debate and confusion.

Last year, the Madras High Court said that in cinema halls, people are not bound to stand for the anthem. The court was responding to the home ministry's directive to all states that standing would interrupt the film screening and "create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the anthem."

Abhinav Shrivastav, the lawyer who argued the petition, said there were "no guidelines on the anthem and we wanted the court to pass orders."