Owaisi welcomes SC's decision on national anthem in cinema halls

New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court's decision in which it said that the cinema halls are no more bound to play the National Anthem before starting of any movie.

"I totally welcome the order of the Supreme Court," said outspoken Muslim leader here.

He also lambasted Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for harassing physically handicapped and people of minority community for not standing up to the National Anthem.

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"Under the previous order, many people were harassed, especially people from the minority community, who were physically handicapped were targeted by all so-called vigilantes who support RSS and BJP," he said.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, the Supreme Court overturned its previous order pronouncing that the National Anthem was not mandatory in the cinema halls from here on.

The order was passed by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud, while hearing a plea demanding provisions of punishment for those not showing respect to the National Anthem.

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During the arguments and submissions, the apex court accepted the proposal of a top law officer, representing the central government, KK Venugopal, and said that from now onwards, the screening of National Anthem in the cinema halls will be optional.

Earlier on Monday, the Centre had appealed before the top court to review its 2016 order in which it made National Anthem mandatory to be played in the cinema halls.