The national anthem must be played before the screening of any movie at public theatres, the Supreme Court ordered on Wednesday, banning the print of any part of the 52-second song on any “undesirable” object.
The court, however, banned any “dramatisation” of the national anthem and said it must not be introduced as part of a variety show.
“There should not be any commercial exploitation of the national anthem,” the court said.
The national anthem is already played before movies in some states – such as Maharashtra – but the measure is often controversial, with instances of people beaten up for not standing up for the anthem.
“Citizens must respect the national anthem and the national flag,” news channels quoted the top court as saying.
==> HT
