The Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday that all the cinema halls need to play the national anthem before movie screenings. During that time all exits should be shut. The court also emphasized that everyone should stand during the national anthem and even the national flag has to be on the screen.

"When the national anthem is played it is imperative for everyone to show honor and respect. It would instill a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism," said the judges.

"Time has come that people must feel and show respect to the national anthem, the symbol of constitutional patriotism."

This rule has raised questions about emergencies after SC said tat all the exists shall be closed during the anthem. Lawyers said that "the movement of people in and out of the hall in the middle of the anthem is seen as disrespect."

However, a petition was filed alleging misuse of the anthem in TV shows or movies. The court said that "it should not be commercially exploited, dramatized or printed on objectionable material."

The petition was filed by Shyam Narayan Chouksey. He runs an NGO in Bhopal. The government assured to have the system start in 10 days.

The new rule passed by SC was use to amend way back in the 1960s, but people often walked out in the middle. The practice, however, faded away over the years.

But in some states national anthem is still played in theaters. In 2003, Maharashtra had made it compulsory.

Last year, the Madras High Court said that "in cinema halls, people are not bound to stand for the anthem. The court was responding to the home ministry's directive to all states that standing would interrupt the film screening and create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the anthem."

Abhinav Shrivastava, the lawyer who argued the petition, said: "there were no guidelines on the anthem and we wanted the court to pass orders."

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BY M. DIVYA SRI