Not necessary to stand if national anthem is played in a movie: SC

New Delhi : Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that there is no compulsory rule for people to stand if national anthem is played during a run of a film in a theatre.

A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and R. Banumathi made their comments over a petition seeking clearance on whether people should stand or not when national anthem is played in a film, newsreel or documentary.

“It is clarified that when the National Anthem is played as part of the storyline of a film, newsreel or a documentary the audience need not stand,” the bench said.

The bench, which cleared that this is one of the topics which need a debate, has fixed April 18 as date for further discussion.