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SC Allows Stalin’s Name in Tamil Nadu Scheme
The Supreme Court has overturned a previous order by the Madras High Court that restricted the Tamil Nadu government from using the name and image of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in state-run welfare schemes. The apex court ruled that there is no legal basis to prevent such naming, allowing the continuation of the “Ungaludan Stalin” (Stalin With You) initiative.
Challenge by Former AIADMK MP
The case was filed by former AIADMK MP C. Ve Shanmugam, who argued that naming a government welfare program after a sitting chief minister violated constitutional and electoral norms. He claimed it amounted to political propaganda using public funds. The High Court had initially accepted the argument and imposed a temporary restriction.
Supreme Court Criticizes Misuse of Law
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, calling it politically motivated and legally unsound. The bench remarked that courts should not be used for political battles and emphasized that similar practices of naming schemes after leaders exist across India, including in the past under different governments.
₹10 Lakh Cost Imposed on Petitioner
The court imposed a cost of ₹10 lakh on the petitioner for misusing judicial time. The amount must be paid to the Tamil Nadu government within one week and will be used for public welfare. The bench observed that such petitions unnecessarily burden the judiciary and disrupt governance.
Names Reflect Office, Not Just Individuals
The Tamil Nadu government defended the naming of the scheme by arguing that the title “Stalin” referred to the constitutional position of the Chief Minister and not just the individual. The court accepted this reasoning, noting that previous governments had followed similar practices.
Impact of the Ruling
This judgment clarifies that naming welfare schemes after current leaders does not automatically violate legal or constitutional norms. It may influence future decisions in other states where similar naming conventions are used and challenged on political grounds.
