Madurai: The Madras High Court on Monday directed a petitioner to prove his point with more documents that the national anthem is insulted and disrespected when played in theatres in the state.
The petitioner had sought a direction to authorities to stop the theatres from playing the national anthem before commencing a film show as viewers simply sit and do not respect the anthem.
A division bench of Justice R Sudhakar and Justice VM Velumani of the HC's Madurai bench directed the petitioner R Pandi Maharaja to back up his contention with more documents.
The petitioner submitted that he visited two theatres on July 18 and 29 in Madurai where the national anthem was played before the show commenced.
He was shocked to see that no one gave respect to the national anthem except himself and his wife. In another theatre also, the national anthem was not respected by the public when played.
The viewers remained seated, blissfully ignorant and unaware of their duty to stand up and respect the national anthem.
He said any disrespect shown to national anthem was punishable under Prevention of Insults to National Honours Act.
He had submitted a petition to the State Home Secretary and Madurai District Collector but no action had been taken, he said.
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