All movie halls to play National Anthem, directs Supreme Court [Read order]

The Supreme Court of India has issued multiple ‘interim measures” in a PIL connected to our country’s National Anthem. A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy issued directions in a petition filed by Shyam Narayan Chouksey..Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Centre, while the petitioner was represented by advocate Abhinav Srivastava..The Court noted that the National Anthem was being sung in circumstances which were “impermissible”, and a clear violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971. Calling it the duty of every Indian to show due respect to the anthem, the Bench noted that it was a “symbol of constitutional patriotism”..Justice Dipak Misra also noted that the Directive Principles of State Policy, namely, Article 51 A compelled the citizens of the country to award due respect to symbols of national integrity and pride. Noting the same in his order, he added,.“…it is clear as crystal that it is the sacred obligation of every citizen to abide by the ideals engrafted in the Constitution. And one such ideal is to show respect for the National Anthem and the National Flag. Be it stated, a time has come, the citizens of the country must realize that they live in a nation and are duty bound to show respect to National Anthem which is the symbol of the Constitutional Patriotism and inherent national quality.”.It then proceeded to direct the following interim measures:.The National Anthem cannot be commercially exploited to gain financial advantage or benefit.It cannot be introduced or used as part of any entertainment program or variety show.The anthem is not to be printed on any undesirable object, or be used in places where it’s dignity is compromised.All movies and cinema halls are to play the National Anthem before the showing of feature films. All present are required to award due respect to the anthem..The Union was directed to circulate a copy of the order to the Chief Secretaries of the States and Union Territories, and to publish it in print and electronic media. It was also directed that the order be given effect within a week, and the matter is now listed on February 14, 2017..Post lunch, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi appeared again before the Bench, and sought some clarifications on the order. The Court then proceeded to direct that during the playing of the National Anthem, doors of the theatres would have to be closed, so that there are no disruptions to the playing of the Anthem..Of course, Twitter had its own take on the issues. Read some of the most hilarious responses to the order below..Read the order below.