This refers to the report, “SC: Jana Gana Mana must before movies” (December 1). The apex court’s ruling that the National Anthem must be played before the screening of any film, will instill a feeling of patriotism among the citizens. But the question is whether taking such a policy decision comes under the jurisdiction of the courts or is it a matter to be decided by the people of this country, meaning Parliament.
Right from childhood, we were told that the job of the judiciary is to interpret the laws, framed by the legislature — in our case, Parliament and State Assemblies that represents the will of the people. It is not understood when this principle of separation of powers, between the judiciary and legislature, got blurred. In view of the fact that the very essence of democracy lies in judicious separation of powers between various wings, with none of them interfering in the power of others, it seems necessary that the matter is debated fully and settled once for all.