The Hindu : Court functions to start with national anthem?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 13, 2003

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National

Court functions to start with national anthem?

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI April 12. The Centre is considering issuing instructions to the Supreme Court and the High Courts to start all functions with the singing of the national anthem.

The assurance was given in Parliament recently by the Union Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swami, in response to a plea made by the AIADMK member, P.H. Pandian, and the DMK member, S.S. Palanimanickam.

During the discussion on the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill on April 8, Mr. Pandian brought to the Government's notice that functions such as the swearing-in ceremonies of Council of Ministers and Chief Justices held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Raj Bhavans started and ended with the national anthem. Why not the same procedure be followed during swearing-in ceremonies of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Mr. Palanimanickam said when the National Flag was present at the top of the buildings of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, there should not be any difficulty to start the functions with the national anthem. The Minister assured the members that the Government would consider their suggestions.

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