Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Include Savarkar’s Name Under Emblems and Names Act
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking a directive to the central government to include the name of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the list of protected names under a 1950 law that regulates the use of certain emblems and names for professional and commercial purposes.
The petitioner, who appeared in person before the court, stated that he had been researching Savarkar for the past 30 years.
He urged the court to instruct the Union of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs to add Savarkar’s name to the Schedule of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
The Act is designed to prevent the unauthorized use of specific emblems and names listed in its Schedule for commercial or professional gain.
The Schedule, which includes names and symbols considered of national importance, can be amended by the Central Government via notification in the Official Gazette.
According to the law, no individual is permitted to use any name or emblem mentioned in the Schedule for trade, business, profession, or in titles of patents, trademarks, or designs—unless expressly allowed under conditions prescribed by the Central Government.
Furthermore, the Act bars the registration of any company, firm, or organization using names or emblems listed in the Schedule as part of their branding or intellectual property. Violation of the Act’s provisions may result in a monetary penalty.
Despite the petitioner’s appeal and the significance he attributed to Savarkar’s legacy, the Court found no merit in the plea and declined to issue directions to the government.
