Today (9th April), Congress filed a PIL against a BJP-linked individual regarding the use of the “INDIA” acronym by the opposition. The case brought before the Delhi High Court for legal resolution. The dispute highlights tensions between political parties over symbolic representations. The outcome may have implications for the use of national symbols in political discourse.
New Delhi: The Congress party informed the Delhi High Court that the PIL challenging the use of the “INDIA” acronym by opposition parties is politically motivated and filed by a person affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The response submitted a day before the scheduled hearing of the PIL filed by Girish Bhardawaj, who alleges a violation of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act.
The Congress argues that similar PILs dismissed by higher courts previously and accuses the petitioner of concealing his close association with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, citing evidence from his social media profile.
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The Congress party response states,
“It is pertinent to note that Vishwa Hindu Parishad is an Indian right-wing organization, part of the ‘Sangh Parivar,’ and affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, whose political arm is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).”
Consequently, Congress argues that the petition is not only politically motivated but also aimed “to advance the political stratagems of the petitioner.”
Regarding the petitioner’s claims, the Congress response contends that Bhardawaj not substantiated that the alliance’s name caused confusion among voters. The party seeks the imposition of exemplary costs on the petitioner.
The reply asserts,
“The petitioner has not succeeded in establishing the fundamental premise of the petition, which claims that the alliance’s name has caused confusion among voters, leading them to vote for the alliance solely based on the acronym and ‘as a matter of national duty.’ Moreover, the petitioner has not presented any evidence regarding the use of ‘I.N.D.I.A’ as an alliance acronym causing ‘diminishing goodwill’ of the Nation in global politics,”
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The response states,
“The Congress has also refuted the claim that the use of the INDIA acronym constitutes a legal violation, asserting that no judicial precedent or legal provision prohibits political parties from using such a name,”
Furthermore, the Congress argued that the petitioner’s grievance primarily revolves around the Election Commission of India’s response to their representation, which has since been addressed. The party views the PIL as an attempt to involve the court in political and electoral matters.
The Congress has requested,
“The prayers of the petitioner should not be entertained, and this vexatious petition should be promptly dismissed with significant costs,”
Bhardawaj’s petition alleges that opposition parties are exploiting the name “INDIA” for their own interests, potentially disrupting the fairness of the upcoming general elections in 2024.
The Delhi High Court issued notices to 26 opposition parties and the Election Commission of India in August 2023. While the ECI responded that it cannot regulate political alliances, the opposition parties are yet to respond to the plea.
Several parties have verbally informed the Court that the PIL lacks merit. The Court recently directed the opposition alliance to submit its response within a week for possible resolution by April 10.