SC Refuses to Entertain PIL Restraining Opposition Parties from Using I.N.D.I.A. Acronym

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking to prohibit 26 opposition political parties from utilizing the acronym I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) for their coalition.

A bench comprising of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia noted that the plea seemed to be filed for publicity purposes, leading the petitioner, Rohit Kheriwal, to withdraw the petition.

Last month, twenty-six opposition parties, led by the Congress, had announced their intent to unite and contest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls scheduled for next year.

They revealed their decision to contest under the banner of I.N.D.I.A, representing Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

Interestingly, the Delhi High Court had, on August 4, issued a notice to the 26 opposition political parties and the Election Commission of India regarding a similar PIL aimed at restraining the opposition from using the acronym I.N.D.I.A.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Amit Mahajan of the High Court had sought responses from the political parties and the electoral body in response to the petition filed by activist Girish Bharadwaj. The petitioner argued that the use of the name INDIA is prohibited under Sections 2 and 3 of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950.