India’s National Anthem is the song written by Rabindranath Tagore during the time of Independent movement in India. National Anthem was first sung in the Congress Party’s meeting in 1911. It was announced as the official song of the Indian National Army on 1943. After independence this song was accepted as the national anthem of the country.
On November 30th the Supreme Court in its judgment made it compulsory to play the national anthem in all the movie theatres in the country within ten days from the date of judgment. The Supreme Court also ordered the display of National Flag on the screen while the National Anthem is played.
Following the orders many theatres played the national song from the very next day.
The judgment has received mixed responses from Indian citizens especially from those who are active on social networking sites.
‘SimpliCity’ helped the citizens of the Coimbatore to express their views on the matter.
Ramakrittinnan -General secretary TPDK
The order that people should stand for National Anthem in theatres infringes the freedom of the citizens. People from all walks of life are giving respect to the national anthem. The present order is like demanding respect for the national anthem. People are standing in the theatres for the national anthem out of fear of facing legal actions rather than respect for the national anthem. This order is unnecessary.
Pathiban (IT Employee)
Indian is a diverse country in many ways. Though there are many differences within us the unifying factor is the national anthem and the word ‘India’. When the National Anthem is played in the theatres the unity will be strengthened. The nation will unit only when individuals are united. This is a welcome order.
Prince (Employee)
I welcome this Supreme Court’s order. This is a beginning for the patriotism to grow in minds of the people. In earlier day national anthem was sung during the stage plays and in cinema theatres. Cinema is an extension of stage plays. It is right to play national before screening a movie. There should be no problem in playing national anthem before screening of the movie.
Sushmitha (College Student)
National Anthem is not sung in many colleges. National Anthem should be sung in such places. The mindset of people who go to the movie theatres will be different. Problems will arise if people don’t stand for the National Anthem. If the problem escalates a negative image will be created in the minds of the people of neighbouring countries.
Vignesh (College Student)
All the Indian citizens have respect for the national anthem. We can see people standing still during the national anthem in Public places and in schools. It is not acceptable that he national anthem should be sung in theatres. Instead of the order of singing national anthem in theatres it should be made compulsory for all educational institutions to play national anthem.
Public opinion is divided on the order of Supreme Court in playing the national anthem before the screening of the movie.