Delhi HC likely to hear PIL against Opposition parties using acronym ‘I.N.D.I.A’

The petitioner seeks a direction on the ECI and the Centre to take necessary action in the matter

August 4, 2023

PIL in Delhi HC seeking direction to political parties to prohibit use of acronym I.N.D.I.A.

On Friday, a PIL is likely to come up before the Delhi High Court bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula seeking direction to stop the opposition parties from using the acronym I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) for their alliance.

The writ petition has been filed by a businessman Girish Bharadwaj, who contests that to date Election Commission of India (ECI) has not taken any action on the representation given by him to prevent the respondent political parties to use the acronym I.N.D.I.A for their political alliance.

The petitioner, who seeks direction from the ECI and the Centre to take necessary action in the matter, has said that the acronym has been used only to take undue advantages in the upcoming general elections in 2024.

“…practice to use acronym I.N.D.I.A. (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) / INDIA of respondent political parties are only to attract and gain sympathy and votes of the innocent citizen and to use as a tool for political benefit and also to give a nudge or a spark which may lead to political hatred which eventually will lead to political violence,” it says.

Citing the violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and relevant Rules, Bharadwaj has said that the acronym being the essential part of the national emblem cannot be used for any professional, commercial purpose or political purpose.

“…the selfish act of these political parties may adversely affect the peaceful, transparent, and fair casting of votes during the upcoming general election of 2024 which may expose the citizens to unwarranted violence and also affect the law and order of the country,” the plea reads.

The petitioner has also mentioned the statements of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and has said that they have presented the name of their alliance as the name of our nation and tried to show that the NDA/ BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in conflict with our own nation.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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