New Delhi, March 20: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought response on compliance from states and Union territories regarding the Supreme Court's recent directive that said “playing of national anthem prior to the screening of feature films in cinema halls is not mandatory, but optional or directory”. The Home Ministry has also asked states what steps have been taken regarding the Supreme Court judgement on the playing of National Anthem in cinema halls before movies.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the MHA has also communicated to states and union territories quoting the Supreme Court's order. The Supreme Court in its order had said that “citizens or persons are bound to show respect as required under executive orders relating to the national anthem of India and the prevailing law, whenever it is played or sung on specified occasions.”

It is reported that an inter-ministerial committee which had been formed to look into the issue will submit its finding and report within six months. Ministry’s earlier order, making national anthem mandatory for cinema halls, stays suspended till the report, said an official in the report.

The Supreme Court had issued an order on November 30, 2016 making it compulsory for cinema halls and theaters to play the national anthem. But on  January 9, 2018, the order was modified by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Under the modified order, it now depends on owners of cinema halls whether they want to play the national anthem or not.

According to the report, the inter-ministerial committee has been given the task “to frame the guidelines describing circumstances and occasion on which the national anthem is to be played or sung and observance of proper decorum when national anthem is played or sung.”

The committee was set up by the Centre after a bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, in October 2017, had observed and passed the famous remark that people “cannot be forced to carry patriotism on their sleeves”. The bench had also said that failing to stand during the playing of national anthem does not imply that a person is less patriotic.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2018 02:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).