SC issues notice to Central Government over misuse of National Anthem

New Delhi: The Supreme Court in the petition filed by Shyam Narayan Chouskey on friday issued a notice to the Centre seeking directions to the government to take appropriate steps to specify what would constitute disrespect and abuse of the National Anthem. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy issued notice returnable in four weeks . Avocate Abhinav Srivastava, is appearing for the petitioner.

The PIL submits that the National Anthem should be respected and shown due honour by everyone in this country. Further, it is submitted in the PIL that sometimes the National Anthem is sung in various circumstances, which are not permissible and this petition seeks to restrain those activities. It is also prayed that National Anthem should be played in cinema theatres across the country before the screening of the feature film and proper norms and protocol should be fixed with regard to playing or singing of National Anthem in an official function.

By – Ankit Tripathi