NEW DELHI: All cinemas must play the national anthem before screening movies and audiences should stand for it, India’s highest court ruled on Wednesday, drawing angry accusations of an assault on civil liberties.

The Supreme Court panel said cinemas should display the national flag on the screen as the anthem was played, and that making people stand up would instil a sense of patriotism.

“The national anthem has to be played in cinema halls before the feature film is played with the national flag displayed on the screen,” said Abhinav Shrivastava, the lawyer for the private plaintiff in the case.

Published in Dawn December 1st, 2016