Madras High Court slams Tamil Nadu government, ordering a ban on using names of living leaders or Chief Ministers in government welfare programs to prevent political misuse of public schemes.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has passed an interim order directing the Tamil Nadu government to refrain from using the names of living political personalities, as well as photographs of former Chief Ministers, ideological leaders, or any party symbols, insignia, or flags in connection with government welfare schemes or public advertisements.
The directive came in response to a writ petition filed by AIADMK MP C. Ve. Shanmugam and advocate Iniyan, raising concerns over the use of the name “Stalin”, a reference to current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a recent government order related to the “Mudhalvarin Mugavari” scheme.
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The Madras High Court, while not obstructing the launch or implementation of government welfare schemes, has clearly emphasized that such initiatives must remain free of political branding. In its interim order, the Court barred the use of names of living political leaders in the naming or promotion of government schemes, effectively preventing the state from attributing new welfare programs to sitting politicians.
Additionally, it prohibited the inclusion of photographs of ideological figures, former Chief Ministers, and party insignia, flags, or logos, reinforcing the Supreme Court’s existing directives aimed at preserving the political neutrality of public-funded advertisements and schemes.
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The High Court referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Common Cause v. Union of India, which laid down guidelines to prevent such political misuse of public resources. Though the Karnataka v. Common Cause case later permitted the publication of a sitting Chief Minister’s photograph under limited circumstances, the broader principle discouraging personal or party glorification remains intact.
The court also stated that the pendency of the case will not prevent the Election Commission of India or related authorities from acting on the petitioner’s complaint. This allows further scrutiny of ongoing or planned schemes allegedly designed to benefit the ruling DMK politically.
The case has been posted for further hearing on August 13, 2025. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government will have to reconsider how it packages and promotes its schemes moving forward.
CASE TITLE: C.Ve.Shanmugam v CEC
WP No.27277 of 2025
READ ORDER HERE
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