SC agrees to hear review petition on standing during ‘Jana Gana Mana’ in cinema halls

A bench of judges of Supreme Court of India headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra agreed to hear the review petition on national anthem in cinema halls which makes it mandatory for people to stand during the national anthem. 

The petitioner in the review petition filed in the Supreme Court said that standing in the cinema halls when the National Anthem is played should be an option not forced on anyone. The plea has also claimed that this is a matter to be taken care of by the Union Government.

However, Centre has expressed support for the singing of the anthem, stating that it will instil a feeling of unity in a diverse country with many castes and religions. 

The Supreme Court observed that the government can bring in a regulation or ordinance in this regard on the basis of its stand. The Court while making the observation said that citizens should not be forced to ‘carry patriotism on their sleeves,’ and that patriotism can’t be inculcated like this. 

Justice DY Chandrachud expressed displeasure over the previous ruling of the Supreme Court in November 2016 on national anthem and said, “People are afraid of being called anti-national if they oppose the mandatory order. People go to cinema halls for undiluted entertainment and they definitely need entertainment, not moral policing.”