Why it is in news?

• More than a year after the Supreme Court directed all cinema halls to play the National Anthem before films  the Centre has now formed an inter-ministerial committee to frame new guidelines on the issue.
• The Centre has also said that it would need six months to come up with new guidelines.
• In an affidavit submitted to the apex court on Monday, the Centre also urged the court to continue implementation of 2016 order in the meantime.
• The court agreed to let the practice of playing National Anthem in cinema halls continue until the Centre came up with new recommendations, if at all.
• Upon consideration of the recommendations made by the Committee, the government may bring out the requisite notification or circular or rules in this regard, if required,

What was the case?

• The November 2016 order of the Supreme Court also mandated that people would have to stand up in respect for the National Anthem when it was played in cinema halls.
• The order said that this practice would “instill a feeling within one a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism.”
• Later, however, while hearing a petition by a film society challenging the November 2016 order, a three-judge bench had questioned the order.
• The Supreme Court also clarified later that people with physical and intellectual disabilities were exempt from standing up for the National Anthem in cinema halls.
• The court had also asked the central government to regulate rules for playing the National Anthem in public places.
• The Centre has also said that it would need six months to come up with new guidelines.

THE HINDU,THE NEWSMINUTE