SC Refuses To Entertain Plea Against Opposition’s Use Of ‘INDIA’ Acronym

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition that sought to restrain a group of 26 political parties from using the acronym ‘I.N.D.I.A.’ (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) as the name of their alliance.

Hearing the plea on Friday, a bench led by Justice SK Kaul remarked that it had been filed to seek publicity.

“Who are you? What’s the interest? If there’s a violation of election norms, go to the Election Commission. You want publicity, complete publicity!” Justice Kaul said.

The petitioner argued that if he wanted publicity, he would have given interviews to media houses, but has refrained from doing that.

The petitioner had submission that use of such a name goes against morality, to which Justice Kaul said, “We are not going to determine morality in politics.”

Justice Kaul further said, “It is sad that people waste time on this.”

The plea had sought directions to Press Council of India to pass a regulation whereby all media agencies refrain from using the name ‘INDIA’ as the name of the alliance.

The petitioner said party workers are using slogans only to create a false narrative in the minds of general public that BJP will be fighting against the nation ‘INDIA’ in the upcoming elections.

The court stated that it was not inclined to entertain the plea, and saw no reason to interfere as the petitioner pointed out that applications have been filed before Election Commission of India.

The apex court dismissed the petition as withdrawn.