The Karnataka High Court recently issued a series of directions to prevent the unauthorized use of India’s national emblems and symbols. The court has raised serious concerns regarding the unauthorized use of these symbols by former Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), particularly on their letterheads and vehicles.
The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the High Court Legal Services Committee, which sought a ban on the improper use of national emblems and names associated with the national flag.
The Bench of Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice MI Arun observed, “It is true and unfortunate that there is tendency amongst the constitutional authorities who are the former authorities no more in the office, the former Members of the Parliament or Ex-Legislators have been misusing the Emblem, Flags, Names, etc. by fixing them in their letter heads and the number plates of the vehicles. This conduct is both unfortunate and depreciable. The misuse of Symbols, Seals, Flags, Emblem and Names have to be countered for their illegal and unauthorised display at various places in various manners.”
The Court further added "The higher-ups of the respondents shall chalk out the methods and programmes to sensitise the officials and implementing authorities to see and ensure that the misuse of National Emblem and National Symbols in various forms do not occur, stopped and prevented. Where such conduct of using them unauthorisedly is noticed, they are (to be) dealt with sternly."
The Court also directed both the Central and State governments to create regulations that outline penalties, including fines and the cancellation of driving licenses, for the misuse of national emblems or symbols on vehicles without proper authorization.
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