Differently abled don't have to stand up for national anthem at cinemas: SC

On November 30, the Supreme Court made it compulsory to play national anthem in movie theater

After making it compulsory to play the national anthem in movie theaters across the nation and stand up for the same, the Supreme Court on Friday clarified that the differently abled do not have to stand up for the anthem. 

The apex court judge Dipak Misra said, "Differently-abled persons have exemption from standing while the national anthem is played in theatres before the start of a film."

The court also said that the doors of movie theatres need not be bolted from outside while the national anthem is being played. 

Following the court ruling to make national anthem compulsory in cinema halls, many theatre owners had complained that there is no clarity regarding which version of the anthem should be played. 

In its ruling on November 30, the Supreme Court had said that there should be national flag on the screen when the national anthem is played. The verdict was well received by some quarters, while others criticised it.