The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a petition that sought to make playing the National Anthem, prior to the start of court proceedings, mandatory.
The court dismissed the plea filed by a lawyer, stating that its order to play the national anthem in cinema halls should not be stretched, reported The Times of India.
Just earlier this week, the apex court passed an order stating all cinema theatres need to play the national anthem ahead of every film screening.
The court said that the national flag should be displayed on the screen during the time the national anthem is played. The order said that every person present in the theatre must rise and pay respect to the national anthem.
"When the national anthem is played, it is imperative for everyone to show honour and respect. It would instil a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism," it said.
A bench led by Dipak Misra, stated that, "People nowadays don't know how to sing national anthem and people must be taught. We must respect national anthem."
The top court also said that under no circumstances an abridged version of the national anthem can be played. The SC also said that the national anthem should not be printed or displayed on undesirable objects.
The SC was hearing a petition filed by a Bhopal-based activist Shyam Narayan Chouski.
The SC's directive was met with mixed reactions- while the court called its move "the symbol of constitutional patriotism", many opined it as "forced nationalism".
Also read: Just a coincidence? 13 years ago, same judge, same petitioner and the National Anthem debate