SC takes on Centre over national anthem in movie halls, blasts moral policing

The Supreme Court could modify its 2016 order that requires people to stand up during the playing of national anthem before a movie screening.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra on Monday observed that people were afraid of being called anti-national if they opposed the apex court’s November order.

“People go to cinema halls for undiluted entertainment and they definitely need entertainment, not moral policing,” Justice Misra was quoted as saying.

Besides Justice Misra, Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud were also on the three-member judge hearing the matter.

The bench said that the moral policing around the national anthem debate must stop.

The court further asked Centre to bring in regulations if it wanted people to stand up during the national anthem, thus hinting that the November order was open to modifications.

The case is now listed for hearing on January 9, 2018, according to legal news portal Bar and Bench.

A Supreme Court order in November last year made it mandatory for the national anthem to be played before a movie screening, with all those present in the premises required to stand up during the playing of the 52-second tune.