New Delhi: The Supreme Court order directing cinema halls to play the national anthem before screening to “instill committed patriotism and nationalism” has received mixed reactions from legal experts with a few terming it as “judiciary’s over-enthusiasm” and others saying playing it and respecting it won’t cause any harm. However, Meenakshi Lekhi, a lawyer and BJP MP from New Delhi constituency, has no reservation on the Supreme Court order saying respecting the anthem “causes no harm”. “National anthem is sung at various places like schools, public functions, events etc. It causes no harm and it is natural to stand up when the anthem is played,” she said. But they can’t give directions by themselves to stand up, to do this, do that.”Also Read: SC order on national anthem: Five things to knowLekhi said the law is clear about the national anthem as it was already mentioned in the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.

Source: Mint December 04, 2016 07:18 UTC