The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that playing national anthem was not mandatory for cinema halls. The order comes a day after the Centre urged the court to re-examine its earlier order which had made playing the National Anthem mandatory in theatres. Modifying the earlier order, the apex body also said that the playing of the anthem must be left to the discretion of the cinema owners. However, patrons have to mandatorily show respect in case the cinema does play the anthem, the SC added. The Centre asked the SC to put on hold its order that mandated playing the National Anthem in cinema halls earlier, informing the top court that it had formed an inter-ministerial committee to frame new guidelines pertaining to the playout of National Anthem in movie halls.
