Need not stand if national anthem sung, played in film storyline: SC

New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that audience in a cinema hall need not stand if the national anthem is sung or played as a part of the storyline of the feature film or is a part of newsreel or documentary.

"It is clarified that when the National Anthem is sung or played in the storyline of a feature film or part of the newsreel or documentary ... the audience need not stand," said the bench of Dipak Misra and Justice R. Banumathi.

The court said this on an application by Kodungallur Film Society and Anoop Kumaran seeking clarification on the court's November 30, 2016, order that made it mandatory that the national anthem be played in cinema halls across the country before the start of a movie saying that it would instil a feeling of "constitutional patriotism" and a sense of "committed patriotism and nationalism."

While making it mandatory for the playing of national anthem before the start of a feature film in cinema halls, the court by its November 30 order had said that when the national anthem is sung or played it is imperative on the part of every one present to show due respect and honour and are "obliged to stand up".

The top court had earlier on December 12, 2016, modified the order in respect of the handicapped persons, who were exempted from its purview.

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