The petitioner had sought a direction to authorities to stop the theatres from playing the national anthem before commencing a film show as viewers simply sit and do not respect the anthem.
A division bench of Justice R.Sudhakar and Justice V.M.Velumani of the HC's Madurai bench directed the petitioner R.Pandi Maharaja to back up his contention with more documents.
The petitioner submitted that he visited two theatres on July 18 and 29 in Madurai where the national anthem was played before the show commenced.
The viewers remained seated, blissfully ignorant and unaware of their duty to stand up and respect the national anthem.
He said any disrespect shown to national anthem was punishable under Prevention of Insults to National Honours Act.
He had submitted a petition to the State Home Secretary and Madurai District Collector but no action had been taken, he said.