The Centre on Monday directed all states and Union Territories to comply with the Supreme Courts order of playing national anthem before start of a film and stand up while the anthem is played.

The government has written to chief secretaries of all state governments and Union Territories to comply with the November 30 order.

During its hearing, the apex court said that there shall be no commercial exploitation to give financial advantage or any kind of benefit.

'To elaborate, the national anthem should not be utilised by which the person involved with it either directly or indirectly shall have any commercial benefit or any other benefit,' it said.

It said that there shall not be dramatisation of the national anthem and it should not be included as a part of any variety show.

'It is because when the national anthem is sung or played it is imperative on the part of every one present to show due respect and honour. To think of a dramatised exhibition of the national anthem is absolutely inconceivable,' it added.

The apex court said the national anthem or a part of it shall not be printed on any object and also never be displayed in such a manner at such places which may be disgraceful to its status and tantamount to disrespect.

'It is because when the national anthem is sung, the concept of protocol associated with it has its inherent roots in national identity, national integrity and constitutional patriotism,' the order stated.

It asked all the cinema halls in India shall play the national anthem before the feature film starts and all present in the hall are obliged to stand up to show respect to the national anthem. -- ANI