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SC turns down plea seeking compulsory participation in Republic Day, Independence Day celebrations

The plea demanded that an order should be passed to prevent any 'insult' to the national anthem and the Tricolour

The Supreme Court on Friday turned down a plea which sought an order to make participation in Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations compulsory. The public interest litigation (PIL) had demanded that an order should be passed to prevent any ‘insult’ to the national anthem and the Tricolour.

The plea was filed by Kerala resident Sabu Stephen. In his plea, he had sought specific directions so that flags are hoisted properly while celebrating events. However, the court said that it cannot ask Parliament to frame laws.

As per a report in the Deccan Herald, a three-judge bench quashed the plea. The bench presided over by Chief Justice JS Khehar said such appeals cannot be allowed. “Why don’t you fight elections and raise such issues in Parliament,” the petitioner was told.

Apart from Justice JS Khehar, the bench also had Justices DY Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul as its members.

The Supreme Court had on November 30, 2017 passed the order making it compulsory for movie halls to play the national anthem before starting all its shows.