A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, urging the rejection of multiple trademark applications for “Operation Sindoor,” the title of India’s military operation targeting Pakistan. The plea contends that attempts to commercialize the term, which holds deep emotional and national significance, are an affront to the memory of martyrs and their grieving families.
The controversy began shortly after the Indian government disclosed the operation’s name. Soon after, several applicants, including Reliance, sought exclusive trademark rights under Class 41, which covers services in entertainment, media, and culture. Public backlash was swift, forcing Reliance to withdraw its application. However, 11 other entities have since pursued the registration of the term.
Dev Ashish Dubey, a Delhi-based lawyer, has now moved the Supreme Court, claiming that these attempts to trademark “Operation Sindoor” exploit public sorrow for financial gain. The plea highlights that the operation’s name symbolizes not only the country’s grief but also the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families. The term ‘Sindoor’ itself, often associated with the wedding ritual, is used metaphorically to represent the loss endured by widows of the fallen.
The petition argues that such actions go against Section 9 of the Trade Marks Act, which prohibits the registration of terms likely to offend public sentiment or lack commercial distinctiveness. The plea urges the Supreme Court to intervene, preventing the commercialization of a name that embodies national valor and sacrifice.
The case raises important questions about the ethical use of intellectual property law, particularly when national tragedies and public emotions are involved.
