TN HC Bars Naming Schemes After Living Leaders
The Madras High Court has issued an interim order preventing the Tamil Nadu government from naming welfare schemes after any living political personality or using their images, ideological leaders, or party symbols in scheme advertisements.
What the Court Decided
A division bench led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava ruled that government schemes cannot include:
- Names of any living political figures, including the Chief Minister
- Photographs of former Chief Ministers or ideological leaders
- Party logos, emblems, or flags
The court stressed that such usage would violate Supreme Court judgments and Election Commission guidelines unless it involves the incumbent Chief Minister’s photograph, which is permissible in limited cases.
Background of the Case
The order follows a petition filed by AIADMK MP C. Ve. Shanmugam, challenging state schemes like “Ungaludan Stalin” and “Mudhalvarin Mugavari.” He argued these programmes used CM Stalin’s name and DMK symbolism in a way that amounted to state-funded political promotion.
State Counters with Denials
The Tamil Nadu government, represented in court by the Advocate General and DMK’s legal team, denied official use of such names or symbols. They insisted that promotional materials cited by the petitioner were unofficial and termed the plea politically motivated.
Scheme Rollout Allowed, Ads Restricted
The court clarified that it has not blocked the launch or operation of any welfare scheme—only the naming and promotional materials are under restriction. The scheme itself may continue if advertised neutrally.
Next Steps and Legal Timeline
Authorities including the Tamil Nadu government, Election Commission, and DMK are directed to file responses by August 13. The court deferred further hearings to allow these parties to submit affidavits and counter-arguments.
Importance of the Ruling
Legal experts say the ruling reinforces the principle that public funds and advertising should not serve political ends. It reiterates that government schemes must maintain political neutrality, especially before elections.
