National anthem must be played before film screenings: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today said national anthem must be played before film screenings in theatres. It also said that National flag should also be displayed before the beginning of a movie. A division bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra, stated that all people present in the movie must rise and pay respect to the National anthem.

The Centre agreed to circulate the court's order to all states' Chief Secretaries and also to publish it on electronic and print media. The Apex Court also made it clear that the playing of abridged version cannot be permitted. The Top Court passed this order after hearing from the petitioner, Shyam Narayan Chouskey.

It also observed that time has come for people of India to feel that they live in a nation and show respect to Constitutional nationalism. (UNI)