Indian filmgoers arrested for refusing to stand during national anthem

They could be punished with a fine and up to three years in prison if found guilty

India's Supreme Court ruled audiences must stand while the national anthem is played before every film

Twelve people have been arrested at an international film festival in India for not standing while the national anthem was played.

The arrests follow a ruling by India's Supreme Court last month which said the anthem must be played and national flag shown before every film screening in the country, and that audiences must stand.

The group were arrested in two separate showings at the film festival, Anil Kumar, inspector of police in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala state, told the Associated Press.

Although they were released on bail, police have started an investigation into whether they breached the Supreme Court ruling.

If they are found guilty, they could be punished with a fine and up to three years in prison.

The Supreme Court said the ruling was aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism.

Vineesh Kumar, one of the detainees, told The Indian Express there was a scramble for seats at the open air theatre where the film was being shown.

"If we did not sit on the chairs, I thought we would lose the seats," he said. He said he had stood during the anthem before films shown earlier in the day.

On Sunday, eight people were beaten by right-wing activists for not standing while the national anthem was being played at a cinema in the southern city of Chennai, police said.

They were later charged for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem.